Beets mature in about 70 days with best color and quality obtained when temperatures are from 50 to 65 degrees. Beets tolerate mild freezes. Most soils are suitable but plants produce earlier on sandy loams. Work the soil deeply and remove stones or other debris that may cause deformed roots. On muck, the pH should be above 5.5 and on mineral soil above 6.5.
Planting is done when the ground can be worked.
The suggested planting time is the first part of April but beets can be planted at 2 week intervals from late March to mid-April. 1 inch apart in rows 18 inches apart. Six inch plants are thinned to 3 inch spacings with thinnings used as greens. Best seed germination occurs with a soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees. Rapid growth is essential for high quality beets.