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You know when to pick your beets by checking their size, feeling their shoulders above the soil line, and noting the days since planting.
Knowing when to pick your beets is more about timing and observation than guesswork.
If you’ve been wondering when to pick your beets for the best flavor and texture, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll cover the signs that tell you when to pick your beets, what happens if you wait too long, and a few simple tricks to make sure you harvest beets at their peak.
Let’s dig in.
When to Pick Your Beets: The Key Signs
The best time to pick your beets depends on a few clear visual and physical cues that any gardener can learn.
1. Size Is Your First Clue
Most beet varieties are ready to harvest beets when they reach about 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
That’s roughly the size of a golf ball or a little larger, depending on the variety you planted.
If you’re growing beets for baby beets, you can pick your beets when they’re just 1 inch across, and they’ll be extra tender and sweet.
For larger storage beets, you can let them grow to 3 inches, but be aware that bigger roots often turn woody and lose that delicate sweetness.
So when you’re deciding when to pick your beets, grab a ruler or just eyeball the top of the root peeking out of the soil.
2. Check the Shoulders Above the Soil
Beets are shallow-rooted, and the top third of the root typically pushes up above the soil line as it matures.
You’ll see the rounded “shoulders” of the beet sticking out, and that’s your direct window into its true size.
When those shoulders look plump and smooth, that’s a solid sign it’s time to pick your beets.
If the shoulders are still flush with the soil and you can barely see them, give the beets more time in the ground.
This simple visual check is one of the most reliable ways to know when to pick your beets without pulling them up prematurely.
3. Count the Days from Planting
Most beet varieties mature in 55 to 70 days after sowing seeds directly in the garden.
Check the seed packet for the exact days to maturity, and mark your calendar.
When you’re nearing that window, start checking the shoulders and size every few days.
But remember, weather and soil conditions can speed up or slow down growth, so days alone aren’t the only answer to when to pick your beets.
Use the date as a guideline, not a hard rule, and combine it with the physical signs above.
4. Feel the Firmness
Gently brush away a little soil around the top of the beet and press on the root.
A ready-to-harvest beet should feel firm and solid, like a ripe apple.
If it feels soft, spongy, or has give, that could mean it’s past its prime or suffering from rot.
On the flip side, if the root feels rock hard and you’ve hit the right size, that’s a green light to pick your beets now.
Texture is a subtle but great indicator, and it’s one that experienced gardeners rely on when they’re unsure.
What Happens If You Don’t Pick Your Beets in Time?
Waiting too long is a common mistake, and it directly affects the quality of your harvest.
1. Woody and Tough Texture
When you delay picking beets beyond their ideal size, the flesh becomes fibrous and tough.
That’s because the beet starts putting energy into thickening its cell walls instead of storing sugars.
You’ll notice a chewy, almost cork-like bite that’s far from the tender texture you want.
So if you’re asking when to pick your beets, the answer is always before they get too large.
2. Loss of Sweetness
Beets are loved for their earthy sweetness, but that sweetness fades as the root matures past its prime.
Younger beets have higher sugar content, and that’s what makes them delicious raw or roasted.
Once they pass 3 inches, the sugar levels drop, and the flavor becomes more bitter and less appealing.
That’s why harvesting beets at the right time is so critical for taste.
3. Cracking and Splitting
Overripe beets are more prone to cracking, especially if they experience uneven watering.
The skin splits, opening the door to pests and diseases in your garden.
A cracked beet is still edible if you cut away the damaged parts, but it’s not ideal for storage.
So to avoid this mess, just know when to pick your beets and stick to that window.
How to Harvest Beets the Right Way
Once you’ve decided it’s time to pick your beets, use the proper method to avoid bruising or breaking the roots.
1. Loosen the Soil First
Beets grow close to the surface, but their roots can still snap if you yank them hard.
Use a garden fork or trowel to gently loosen the soil around each beet before pulling.
Slide the tool a few inches away from the root to avoid slicing into the flesh.
Then, grip the greens near the base and tug gently while lifting from underneath.
2. Cut, Don’t Tear, the Greens
After you pick your beets, twist or cut off the leafy tops, leaving about an inch of stem attached.
Don’t rip the greens off by hand, as that can damage the crown and cause bleeding during storage.
The leaves will draw moisture out of the root if left on, making your beets shrivel quickly.
So cut them promptly, and you can save those nutritious greens for sautéing or salads.
3. Store Them Properly
Unwashed beets store best in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
They’ll keep for several weeks this way, especially if you remove the greens first.
If you picked more beets than you can eat, you can also blanch and freeze them for later use.
Just scrub them clean, slice or cube, blanch for a few minutes, and pack them in freezer bags.
So, How Do You Know When to Pick Your Beets?
You know when to pick your beets by watching for the size, the exposed shoulders, the days since planting, and the firmness of the root.
When those four signs line up, it’s time to harvest beets at their sweetest and most tender stage.
Don’t leave them in the ground too long, as you’ll end up with woody, bitter, and cracked roots that aren’t worth the wait.
Remember to loosen the soil, cut the greens, and store them properly so you can enjoy your homegrown bounty for weeks to come.
Now that you know exactly when to pick your beets, head out to your garden and check those shoulders today.
Your taste buds will thank you for harvesting beets at the perfect moment.