However, unlike Swiss chard, beets have both edible greens and roots. Relatively easy to grow, beets are hardy and grow best in cool weather. In fact, the secret to growing beets is to grow them rapidly in cool soil. For really spectacular beets that are sweet and tender, plant them in a loose, rich soil, keep them weed free, and provide ample water during dry weather. Work extra compost or aged manure into the soil, as beets are heavy feeders.
Beets require potassium which can be provided by applying seaweed, lime, or ashes to the soil.
In some areas soil may suffer from boron deficiency which results in the core of the beet turning soft with a grayish color. If this is the case, the addition of a small amount of boron will compensate for any deficiency in the soil. Some seed companies now offer monogerm seeds that produce single plants. Seeds are notoriously slow to germinate, so mark the rows by planting a fast-growing crop, such as radishes, with the beet seeds. The radishes will be up and eaten before the beets require the growing space.