Growing Beets in Your Garden: A Non-Native Annual Worth Considering
If you’ve ever wondered about adding some colorful, edible interest to your garden, you might want to consider Beta, commonly known as the beet. This non-native annual has found its way into gardens across much of the United States, and for good reason – it’s both beautiful and delicious!
What Exactly Are Beets?
Beets are annual plants that belong to the botanical genus Beta. While they’re not native to North America (they originally hail from the Mediterranean region and Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa), they’ve successfully established themselves across many states. These hardy plants have been introduced and now reproduce spontaneously in the wild throughout the lower 48 states and Puerto Rico.
Where Do Beets Grow?
You’ll find beets thriving in a surprising number of states across the country. They’ve established populations in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico. This wide distribution speaks to their adaptability!
Why Gardeners Love (and Sometimes Hesitate About) Beets
Beets offer several appealing qualities for home gardeners:
- Dual purpose: Both the colorful roots and nutritious greens are edible
- Visual appeal: The vibrant foliage and jewel-toned roots add color to any garden
- Space efficient: They don’t take up much room and can even grow in containers
- Cool weather crop: Perfect for spring and fall gardening when other plants struggle
However, since beets aren’t native to North America, some gardeners prefer to focus on indigenous alternatives. If you’re looking for native options with similar benefits, consider wild leeks, wild onions, or native amaranth species that can provide both edible leaves and colorful garden interest.
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
When beets are allowed to flower (called bolting), they produce small blooms that can attract bees and other beneficial insects. However, since they’re typically harvested before flowering, their pollinator benefits are limited compared to native flowering plants.
Perfect Growing Conditions
Beets are surprisingly easy to grow when you give them what they like:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (they’re quite tolerant)
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter
- Temperature: Cool weather lovers – they prefer temperatures between 50-65°F
- Space: Can grow in garden beds, raised beds, or even large containers
USDA Hardiness Zones and Timing
As annuals, beets can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 2-10, though they perform best as a cool-season crop. Plant them in early spring (4-6 weeks before the last frost) or in late summer for a fall harvest.
Planting and Care Tips
Growing beets successfully is pretty straightforward:
- Direct sow seeds in the garden – they don’t transplant well
- Plant seeds ½ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart
- Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart once they’re established
- Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Try succession planting every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests
- Harvest baby greens in 30 days, roots in 50-70 days
Garden Design Ideas
Beets work wonderfully in:
- Kitchen gardens and edible landscapes
- Raised bed vegetable plots
- Container gardens on patios or balconies
- Ornamental borders where their colorful foliage adds interest
The Bottom Line
While beets aren’t native to North America, they’re not considered invasive either, making them a reasonable choice for gardeners interested in edible landscaping. They’re productive, attractive, and relatively easy to grow. Just remember that if supporting native ecosystems is a priority, you might want to balance your beet growing with plenty of native plants that better support local wildlife and pollinators.
Whether you choose to grow beets or opt for native alternatives, the most important thing is creating a garden that brings you joy and serves your needs!
