Why do my beet roots stay small?

Beginning with examining stunted growth is the first step of how to grow beets with gloriously plump roots. Last year I had a crop of the pencil-thin variety of beet that could grow healthy greens, but had miserable roots. What was the problem? Overcrowded seedlings and hard, unyielding clay soil. Beetroots require space and a loose soil structure to swell to their fullest potential; if they do not have these conditions, the amounts of harvested roots will be disappointing.

The structure of soil determines whether the size of beets will be successful. I was able to rejuvenate my clay soil with a mixture of three inches of compost and coarse sand. My roots now go down eight inches (20 centimeters). If you're looking for an instant fix for soil using plants, I would build raised beds using 50% peat-free compost. Loosened soil will always lead to unrestricted growth.

Plants can be easily fooled with nitrogen imbalance. I experienced this for myself since I used high-dilution doses of manure teas that produced lush greens, but stunted my Detroit Dark Reds (these are beets).I switched to 5-10-10 fertilizer at planting, which allowed roots to fuel their cells with phosphorus. If leaves pale, side-dress at 6 weeks, but do not exceed application rates on the label.

Testing for boron takes the guesswork out of soil management. I found a boron level of 0.3 ppm (optimal range is 1-2 ppm) in my $25 soil test kit. I added 1 tsp of borax in 10 gallons of water and corrected my soil boron in just a few weeks. Apply the solution at dusk, as the sun will degrade the boron solution. Using excessive boron levels may burn the leaves, so be sure to apply boron based on your soil tests.

Read the full article: How to Grow Beets: Expert Tips for Sweet Roots & Vibrant Greens