Growing Beets In Containers: Everything You Need To Know

Are you a big fan of beets but lacking the space in your outdoor garden? I highly recommend you try container gardening – it’s easier than you probably realize! Learn all about growing beets in containers so that you can enjoy some fresh beets anytime you want.

Freshly harvested beets grown in containers.

While planning my vegetable garden, I always try to think ahead and decide which fruits and vegetables would do better in my outdoor garden in my backyard.

Then I started thinking…I live in an area with a short growing season, and I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to have the garden I want. How can I take what I’ve learned and really maximize the space I have?

The answer…(drumroll, please)…is container gardening! And I have to say- it is going fairly well.

So far, I have planted:

… all in containers!

This simple adaptation for gardening makes it possible to condense your growing area AND move your garden indoors (if necessary) when the cold weather arrives.

Plus, not only can you grow all of these different types of vegetables, but you can also grow fruits like blueberries and strawberries in pots and get excellent yields. And, many herbs such as lavender also thrive when you grow them in containers.

In today’s post, I’m going to show you how to grow delicious earthy red beets in containers. Just like our pickled jalapenos, we love to grow homegrown beets and enjoy pickled beets all year long.

Are you ready to enjoy garden-fresh beets even if you lack outdoor gardening space? Here’s everything you need to know about growing beets in containers!

Advantages Of Growing Beets In Pots

Curious to see if container gardening is for you? Here are a few reasons why growing beets in containers might be the right answer for your gardening situation:

Beets are root vegetables, so they need space to grow. Growing beets in containers allows you to rearrange your garden any way you want to make the most out of your limited space.
Container gardening = less weeding.
Foods grown in containers tend to have fewer pest and disease problems, which means less work for you!

bunch of fresh beets with leaves, food closeup.

Disadvantages Of Growing Beets In Containers

While planting beets in containers work great for some, there are a few disadvantages to growing beets in a container, which include:

Your beets will likely be smaller due to the limited growing space. They will still contain the flavor and nutrients you expect!
Containers dry out faster than ground soil does. So, plan to water frequently.
Due to the need for frequent watering, the nutrients in the soil will wash out, so you’ll need to supplement with a dose of low-nitrogen fertilizer twice during the growing season.
Growing beets need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Make sure you place them in a location where they get enough light.

Do beets grow well in containers?

Yes! Beets can grow very well in containers, both indoors and outdoors. These hardy cool weather vegetables grow best in spring and fall and love sunshine.

Single Beets grow in narrow containers against a rustic garden background.

Tips For Growing Beets In Containers

Beets are one of the easiest veggies to grow, and they grow well in pots too! Here’s everything you need to know about growing this easy veggie in containers.

Freshly harvested deep purple red beets against a rustic wooden background.

When can I plant beets in pots?

Beets have extremely delicate roots and sometimes don’t transplant well. If you can wait and sow your seeds directly into your outdoor pots, that’s best for the plants.

However, if you’re dealing with a short outdoor growing season, start your seeds 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost in a biodegradable starter pot.

How much depth do beets need?

Since the roots are the actual vegetable (although the greens are edible – and delicious – too!), you want to allow plenty of space for them to grow.

I recommend using a pot that’s at least 10 inches deep. Feel free to use a wide, deep pot if you want to grow several beet plants together. They need space between them for the air to circulate to help prevent disease.

Do beets need a lot of sun to grow?

Beets love sunshine! Give them at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day on your deck or back porch.

How much water do beets need?

Beets like to live by the “Goldilocks rule”: not too dry, not too wet…just right. Make sure the soil never gets too dry but also keep it from staying soggy.

Also, when watering the plants, avoid getting the leaves wet to help prevent fungal diseases.

Young beetroot and raddish plants in pots on an outdoor table - urban vegetable garden idea.

What type of soil do beets need?

Beets are easy to grow but can be slightly picky about their soil requirements. Use light, well-draining soil with lots of added nutrients from bone meal, compost, or manure.

They prefer the pH level to be 6.0-7.0.

Do you need to fertilize beets growing in pots?

Yes, potted plants tend to lose nutrients through frequent watering. Plus, beets have high potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen needs, so they require either a balanced vegetable fertilizer or amendments (bone meal, manure, or compost) added to the soil to replenish lost nutrients.

Pests And Diseases

Container plants tend not to be affected by as many pests and diseases since they grow in their own little space away from the ground where pests and bacteria live. That doesn’t mean they’re entirely immune to pests and diseases, though.

Here are a few things to watch for when growing beets in containers!

Container beets can fall prey to aphids, beet worms, and flea beetles. If you notice any of these pests, spray plants with neem oil to get rid of them.
Cercospora leaf spot and scab are other problems you may encounter. Simply remove affected leaves from the plant immediately!

How And When To Harvest Beets

Once the leaves reach 4-5 inches tall, you can start harvesting the greens a few at a time (cutting from the outer portion of the plant) to add to your salads if you like them.

Then, about 6-8 weeks after your seeds germinate, your beetroots will be ready to harvest. Look for a bulge in the soil at the base of the greens. You might even see the bulbs start to peek out of the earth.

Pull the entire plant up gently, wash it off, and enjoy!

Try Growing Beets In Pots Yourself!

I hope this guide on how to grow beets in containers has answered all your questions! If you have any questions I didn’t answer, please leave them in the comments so I can answer them.

If you enjoy beets, I hope you’ll try growing your own because nothing beats the taste of fresh homegrown red beets!

Growing Beets In Containers: Everything You Need To Know

Advantages Of Growing Beets In Pots

Disadvantages Of Growing Beets In Containers

Do beets grow well in containers?