When To Plant Beets In Louisiana

If you’re a gardener in Louisiana, knowing when to plant beets is the key to a great harvest. For optimal harvest timing, you need to work with our unique climate, not against it.

Beets are a fantastic crop for our state. They can handle our heat if you get the timing right. This guide will walk you through the best planting windows, variety choices, and care tips to ensure you get sweet, tender beets from your garden.

Louisiana’s long growing season is split into two perfect windows for beets. They are a cool-season crop, so you plant them when temperatures are mild.

The primary planting season is in the fall. This is often the most succesful for gardeners statewide. The secondary season is in late winter for an early spring harvest.

Fall Planting: The Prime Season

Fall is the best time to plant beets in Louisiana. The goal is to get them growing in the cooling autumn weather and maturing in the cool of winter.

North Louisiana: Plant from late August through mid-October.
South Louisiana: Plant from early October through November, sometimes even into early December.

This schedule allows the roots to develop sweetness before the hardest frosts, which actually improves their flavor. The cooler temps make for crisp, tender beets without the woody texture you get from summer heat.

Spring Planting: A Tighter Window

Spring planting is trickier but possible. You must wait for soil to be workable and get seeds in early enough to mature before summer heat arrives.

North Louisiana: Plant in February or very early March.
South Louisiana: Plant in January or February.

Spring-planted beets need to be harvested promptly. If they stay in the ground too long as temperatures soar, they can become tough and bitter.

Using Your Parish as a Guide

Your specific location matters. A gardener in Shreveport will have a different schedule than one in Houma. Check with your local LSU AgCenter extension office for the most precise parish-level advice. They offer planting calendars tailored to our regions.

Soil and Site Preparation

Beets need loose, well-drained soil to form those perfect round roots. Heavy clay or compacted soil will cause misshapen, stunted growth.

Choose a Sunny Spot: At least 6 hours of direct sun is best.
Loosen the Soil: Dig down at least 12 inches. Remove rocks and clumps.
Amend the Soil: Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and fertility.
Check the pH: Beets prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple test kit can tell you if you need to add lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it.
Fertilize Gently: Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus (the middle number) to encourage root development. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, which give you lots of leaves but small roots.

A Note on Boron

Beets are sensitive to a lack of boron in the soil, a common issue in some Louisiana gardens. A deficiency leads to black, rotten spots inside the root. Adding a little garden-grade boron or using compost regularly can prevent this problem.

Planting Your Beet Seeds Correctly

Beets are grown from seed clusters, each which can sprout several seedlings.

Create Rows: Make shallow rows about 1/2 to 1 inch deep.
Sow Seeds: Place seed clusters about 1 inch apart in the row. You’ll thin them later.
Cover and Water: Cover seeds lightly with soil and water gently but thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist for germination.
Spacing Rows: Space rows 12 to 18 inches apart.

Seeds should sprout in 5 to 14 days, depending on soil temperature. Soaking seeds in water for a few hours before planting can speed up germination, which is helpful for those late winter plantings when the soil is still chilly.

Thinning is Non-Negotiable

This is the step many gardeners skip, but it’s crucial. If seedlings are too crowded, the roots have no room to expand.

First Thin: When seedlings are about 2 inches tall, thin them to about 1 inch apart.
Final Thin: When the small beets (about the size of a marble) appear, thin them to 3-4 inches apart. You can eat the thinnings—the tiny roots and the greens are both delicious!

Ongoing Care for Your Beet Crop

Consistent care is simple but makes a huge difference in your harvest.

Watering

Beets need even moisture. About 1 inch of water per week is ideal. Inconsistent watering leads to cracked roots and stress. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are excellent for keeping leaves dry and preventing disease.

Mulching

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of straw or pine straw around your plants. Mulch keeps the soil cool, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. For fall plantings, it also protects the roots from sudden temperature dips.

Weeding

Weed carefully by hand around your beets. Their roots are shallow, so avoid deep hoeing that could damage them. Mulch will significantly reduce your weeding workload.

Harvesting for Optimal Timing

You’ve timed your planting perfectly—now how do you know when to harvest?

For Greens: You can start harvesting a few leaves from each plant when they are 4-6 inches tall. Never take all the leaves from one plant.
For Baby Beets: Begin pulling roots when they are about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. These are incredibly tender and sweet.
For Full-Size Beets: Most varieties are ready at 2-3 inches in diameter. Don’t let them get much larger than a tennis ball, or they may become fibrous.

Check your seed packet for “days to maturity” as a guide, but always let the size of the root be your final indicator. To harvest, gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and pull the beet up by its base of the leaves.

Recommended Beet Varieties for Louisiana

Choosing the right variety increases your chances of success. Here are some reliable performers:

Detroit Dark Red: A classic, reliable variety with deep red, sweet roots.
Chioggia (Candy Cane): Beautiful Italian heirloom with concentric red and white rings inside.
Golden Beet: Has a milder, sweeter flavor than red beets and doesn’t bleed color.
Cylindra: Forms unique cylindrical roots that are easy to slice and ideal for canning.
Early Wonder: A fast-maturing type good for that tight spring planting window.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with perfect timing, you might face a few issues.

Leaf Miners

These pests create squiggly white trails in the leaves. Remove and destroy affected leaves. Floating row covers installed at planting can prevent the adult flies from laying eggs.

Cercospora Leaf Spot

This fungus causes small, circular brown or purple spots with reddish halos on leaves. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove infected leaves. Rotate your crops each year to prevent it from building up in the soil.

Poor Root Development

If you get lots of tops but tiny roots, the cause is usually overcrowding (not thinning), too much nitrogen fertilizer, or soil that is too compacted.

Storing Your Louisiana Beet Harvest

After harvesting, twist off the leaves, leaving about 1 inch of stem on the root. This prevents “bleeding” during cooking. Store the unwashed roots in a plastic bag in your refrigerator crisper drawer for several weeks. The greens should be eaten within a few days.

For long-term storage, beets can be canned, pickled, or stored in a cool, humid root cellar-like environment if you have one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you plant beets in the summer in Louisiana?

It is not recommended. Summer heat causes beets to become bitter, bolt (go to seed), and develop poor texture. Sticking to fall and late winter plantings is best.

How long does it take for beets to grow?

Most beet varieties are ready to harvest 50 to 70 days after planting, depending on the type and weather conditions. You can always harvest them earlier as “baby beets.”

Can I grow beets in containers?

Absolutely. Choose a pot at least 12 inches deep and wide. Use a quality potting mix and ensure the container has good drainage. You’ll need to be even more attentive to watering.

Why are my beet stems and leaves turning red?

This is usually normal, especially with red beet varieties. It’s just the pigment showing. However, if the leaves are also stunted or wilted, it could indicate a nutrient deficiency or a disease issue.

Getting your beet planting timing right in Louisiana sets you up for a rewarding harvest. By following these simple steps for fall and spring planting, preparing your soil well, and providing consistant care, you’ll be enjoying homegrown beets that are far superior to anything you can buy. Remember, the secret is in the schedule and the soil.