At first glance, it seems that beets grow in the garden almost by themselves. However, this is a misleading impression. You will need certain knowledge and proper care to get tasty, sugary fruits of the right size. Such beets are rich in vitamins and decorate familiar dishes with this root vegetable.
In this article we will reveal the secrets of agricultural technology for a bountiful harvest. We'll tell you how and what to feed beets in June, July and other months. Experienced farmers will give useful advice on growing crops. Here you will find recipes for organic and mineral fertilizers.
Why feed beets?
Feeding beets in open ground is one of the main growing conditions . The crop loves fertile soils and reacts painfully to a lack of fertilizer. Necessary nutrients are phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen. At each stage of growth, the need for nutrients is different. Most of all, the root crop needs feeding a month after the first shoots appear.
Root fertilizer for beets using folk remedies
To grow organic, environmentally friendly products, folk remedies are used to feed beets . They, like industrial fertilizers, are applied twice a season. The first time is after the appearance of permanent leaves, and the second time is after the leaves of neighboring seedlings close.
To make the root crop large, red and juicy, beets need alkaline soils rich in calcium. To do this, in the fall, proven folk remedies such as ash, dolomite, fish and bone meal or ground eggshells are added to the soil at the rate of 2-3 cups per 1 m². Ash is a natural phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. To compensate for calcium deficiency, ground chalk can be added to the soil.
The best compositions for feeding
There are many organic and mineral fertilizers. Let's figure out what to feed beets for a bountiful harvest, and what fertilizers to choose for this.
Chicken droppings
At the beginning of growth, plants need nitrogen fertilizers . A suitable option is chicken manure. Organic fertilizing is used on all types of soils, but it has the greatest effect on acidic soil.
Chicken manure is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:12. To avoid burning the roots, the solution is poured into the grooves between plants or between rows. For 10 m2 use 10–12 liters.
Attention! Observe proportions and dosages. Excessive nitrogen fertilizers lead to the accumulation of nitrates in the roots.
Saline solution
Reddening of beet leaves is a signal to use saline solution . Salt improves the taste of fruits, giving them, as paradoxical as it may sound, sugar content. Fertilizing is carried out no more than twice per season: the first time at the beginning of growth, the second time during the filling of root crops. To prepare the solution, a handful of salt is dissolved in a bucket of water.
Weed infusion
Don't rush to throw away weeds. An affordable way to feed beets is a weed tincture. It's easy to prepare :
- The grass is placed in the barrel to fill a third of the container.
- Fill with water to the top and leave to ferment for 5–7 days.
- The finished infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10.
- Water the plants one liter at the root.
- Fertilizer can be used every two weeks.
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Mineral fertilizers
Mineral fertilizers are used simultaneously with organic fertilizers . They begin to add them in the fall, when digging the soil, or in early spring, when preparing the beds for planting. Let's consider what types of mineral fertilizers need to be applied and what time to choose for this:
- In autumn, 1 tbsp is laid per square meter of beds. l. ammonium nitrate, 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate.
- For spring planting, add 100 g of nitrophoska, 30 g of potassium sulfate and 3–5 kg of humus (or compost).
On heavy and acidic soils, sawdust is used to improve the structure . At the same time, lime should be added, since sawdust acidifies the soil: 1 kg per square meter. m beds.
Ash infusion
Wood ash is a valuable fertilizer that can be prepared at home . Ash improves soil structure, replacing phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. It contains potassium, copper, magnesium, boron.
Feeding beets with ash is used twice a season : after planting seeds and during the formation and growth of fruits. The solution is prepared at the rate of 2 cups of ash per 10 liters of water, leave for two hours and water the beds.
Boric acid
Feeding beets with boric acid has a positive effect on root crops :
- increases seed germination;
- improves the taste (sugar content) of the fruit;
- protects plant roots from rotting;
- forms immunity to diseases.
The first time fertilization with boric acid is carried out when soaking the seeds . Prepare a solution of 0.2 g of acid and 1 liter of water, and keep the planting material in it. During the period of growth of green mass and fruit growth, foliar feeding is carried out: 0.5 tsp. acids are dissolved in 1 liter of water. Root feeding is used when there is a lack of boron in the soil.
Attention! The peculiarity of preparing the solution is that boric acid is dissolved only in hot water.
Yeast
Fertilizing with ordinary store-bought yeast improves the formation of root crops and increases the resistance of beets to diseases. Fertilize plants throughout the growing season. The solution is prepared as follows: 0.5 kg of yeast and 0.5 liters of jam (sugar) are diluted in 10 liters of warm water, left for 24 hours in a warm place. Then dilute 1 liter of infusion in 10 liters of water and water the beets at the root.
There are other types of organic fertilizers. The simplest and most accessible of them :
- Potassium permanganate solution - protects the plant from blackleg. Treatment is carried out up to five times per season, starting from the appearance of the first shoots.
- Hydrogen peroxide – lightens the soil structure, saturating it with oxygen. Root crops grow quickly in such soils and suffer less disease. Fertilizer is prepared at the rate of 2 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water.
- Top dressing with lime – especially recommended for acidic soils. A glass of lime is stirred in 10–12 liters of water. Fertilizer is applied once per season at the fourth leaf stage.
Important! You need to pour lime carefully and at the root so as not to burn the beet leaves. All fertilizers are applied in cloudy weather or in the early and evening hours.
How to grow large beets
Many gardeners know the secrets of growing this root vegetable and willingly share their knowledge. The quality of root crops - their keeping quality, taste, sugar content - depends on the composition of fertilizers and the time of application.
It seems to many that this root vegetable is unpretentious, grows on its own, so it does not need to be fed. Can we rely only on nature and rain? Just not. This root vegetable needs feeding throughout the season, otherwise it will grow completely unsweetened and taste like grass.
Root crops need to be fed according to schedule
- First, as soon as the vegetable sprouts appear, they require nitrogen.
- In the middle is potassium.
- At the end of the growing season - phosphorus and potassium.
- Sodium provides the sweetness of root vegetables.
How to determine what elements root vegetables lack
- Nitrogen. The main sign of a lack of this element is pale, almost lifeless tops. Chicken manure is a natural source of nitrogen. Dilute the droppings with water in a ratio of 1:12. The solution cannot be poured directly under the roots; it can only be poured into dug grooves or between rows. Consumption rate per 1 sq. m – 1 l.
- Potassium. The leaves take on a dark red or purple color. Yellow spots appear on the tops, the foliage curls, then dries. To prevent the leaves from wilting at all, you need to feed them with potassium.
- Phosphorus. The leaves become small, some of them turn red, and the tops grow poorly. In this case, the root vegetables do not accumulate sugar and become absolutely tasteless.
- Magnesium. The leaves turn yellow, especially the lower ones, and the rest of the tops become covered with yellow spots.
- Sodium. The ground part becomes red.
- Bor. New leaves do not grow, the core rots, and then the growing point dies.
How to notice that plants are overfed
Excess nutrition is also harmful, as is its lack:
- Nitrogen. The ground part grows wildly, becomes juicy, dark green in color. In this case, the tubers stop growing.
- Potassium. Growth is slowing down. The ground part becomes light green.
- Phosphorus. The tops turn yellow and then gradually die off.
- Magnesium. The roots die off because the plant is unable to absorb calcium.
What to feed by month
At each stage of growth, beets need certain fertilizers : nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Let's take a closer look at the monthly work schedule.
In June
At the beginning of the growing season, nitrogen fertilizers are used for active seed germination, regrowth of green mass and development of the root system. When and what to feed beets in June :
- The first time, mullein is added, diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10. The procedure is carried out immediately after the appearance of the second leaf, watering between the rows.
- After two weeks, ammonia is used in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water. Ammonia repels pests and strengthens plant immunity.
Attention. When applying nitrogen fertilizers, follow the proportions. If there is an excess of them, the root system develops poorly, but the tops, on the contrary, will be powerful.
In July
At this time, the beetroot forms a rosette. Feeding in July should be aimed at the formation and filling of the root crop. For this purpose potassium preparations are used :
- Potassium nitrate is diluted in water in a proportion of 2 tbsp. l. substances per 8 liters of water;
- table salt is dissolved in water: 2 tbsp. l. salt, a bucket of water.
In August
By the end of summer, beets complete the formation of the root crop, accumulate nutrients and taste. How to feed beets in August? Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are used . The solution is prepared at the rate of: 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 1-2 tbsp. l. potassium chloride, 10 liters of water. Water at the root a month before harvest.
Fans of organic farming use folk remedies to feed beets in August: ash or yeast.
How to feed carrots and beets in July?
In July, it is best to fertilize with substances that contain potassium and phosphorus. They will contribute to the formation of large and juicy fruits.
How to feed carrots and beets in July:
- It is very difficult to find complexes that do not contain nitrogen. Therefore, they are made independently, by mixing. It is usually recommended to use double superphosphate or potassium sulfate.
- It is necessary to mix 30 g of each fertilizer and add it to a bucket. The liquid is transferred to the root. Under no circumstances should the solution come into contact with the green mass, so as not to spoil or burn it.
- The main task during the third feeding of beets is to compensate for the deficiency of microelements. It usually occurs during active growth and an increase in the size of root crops.
Harvesting
Why do we need different beet fertilizers?
Growing beets without the right fertilizer will not give the desired result . Beginner gardeners often ask the question: how to water beets so that they are sweet and the fruits grow large? The root crop needs a certain fertilizer at each stage of growth.
For root crops to set
For this purpose, beets need to be fed with compounds containing boron and manganese . These are potassium-phosphorus fertilizers such as yeast, boric acid, and wood ash.
So that she grows
At the beginning of the growing season, beets grow tops and need nitrogen fertilizers . During this period, the following fertilizers are applied:
- infusion of mullein or bird droppings;
- ammonia;
- foliar feeding with urea infusion: 20 g of urea, 10 liters of warm water, infuse for 20 minutes;
- spraying with boric acid solution: 1 tsp. acid into a bucket of water.
In order for beets to grow well, they are watered twice a week until the roots form , then switch to one-time watering. The beds are kept clean and the rows are mulched.
To make the beets sweet
Fertilizing with sodium nitrate or table salt will add juiciness and sugar content to the root crop . Apply for root and foliar feeding three times per season:
- At the sixth leaf stage.
- When the root crop emerges from the soil.
- Two weeks after the second feeding.
Why do I always grow productive and tasty beets?
How to apply fertilizers correctly and in what quantities
It is necessary to feed beets several times throughout the season. You can apply fertilizers at the time of preparing the beds, at the time of sowing seeds and already during the growing season of plants.
When preparing the soil for planting
They prepare the area for beets in the fall by adding rotted manure to the ground in a layer of 2-5 cm, dolomite flour or crushed eggshells (2 or 3 cups per 1 sq. m). In spring, ash is added to the soil at the rate of 0.5 kg per 1 square meter. m. If it is clayey, sand is added to the soil.
It should also be borne in mind that for sandy soils and sandy loams, the soil will need to be replenished 2 times - in autumn and spring; on chernozems only spring application will be sufficient; on heavy soils it will be necessary to add increased doses of potassium fertilizers, sawdust or sand, and lime.
During sowing
If land preparation was not carried out in autumn or early spring, then you can apply fertilizers for beets directly during planting: pour nitrate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate 10 g per 1 sq.m. into the furrows. m and sprinkle a little soil on top.
Rules for applying fertilizers
When fertilizing beets in open ground , follow the following rules:
- Do your work in the evening.
- Apply fertilizers to the roots only after watering.
- Use nitrogen fertilizers early in growth.
- To avoid harming the plants, follow the exact proportions in recipes. An excess of nitrogen will lead to the accumulation of nitrates in root crops.
- Allow at least 14 days between feedings.
Feeding scheme
will help to fertilize beets correctly :
- The first is at the beginning of growth, after the appearance of the second leaf. During this period, the beets are thinned out and nitrogen fertilizers (mullein, bird droppings, ammonia) are applied.
- The second is when the leaves close at the tops. Use mineral fertilizers or ash.
- Third, when the root crop emerges from the ground, potassium fertilizers (boric acid, potassium salt, superphosphate) are applied.
- The fourth – two weeks after the previous one.
Spraying
Many gardeners consider spraying to be a more effective fertilizing than fertilizing at the roots. With this method, macro- and microelements are evenly distributed throughout the foliage and are absorbed much faster than through the roots. The most popular foliar feeding for beets is a combination of sodium and boric acid.
If the weather turns out to be rainy, then it may be necessary to additionally fertilize the crop with nitrogen. Spraying with urea will do. To do this, you need to take 20 g of urea per 10 liters of water, completely dissolve and spray the beet tops at the end of the day.
Other foliar feeding recipes that are popular among gardeners:
- 5 g of potassium permanganate per 10-15 liters of water - the solution can be used not only for spraying, but also for watering the crop two to five times during the entire growing season;
- 5 g of boric acid per 15-20 liters of water. You can also add salt at the rate of 30 g per 20 liters of water.
How to understand what a root vegetable is missing
Beets are a plant that is sensitive to care; if there is a lack of nutrition, it begins to hurt. Consider the main symptoms of nutritional deficiency :
- the heart rots - lack of boron;
- round yellow spots on the tops - lack of potassium;
- leaves turn red – there is not enough sodium;
- a summer fly or a white butterfly has appeared - sprinkle with table salt;
- leaves grow poorly - fertilize with nitrogen;
- light spots with a brown border (cercospora blight) appear - add potassium fertilizers.
Tips and tricks from experienced farmers
Over the years, farmers have accumulated extensive experience in growing beets. Here are some tips and tricks on how to care for your crop :
- Growing beets in open ground requires fertilizing with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.
- At the beginning of tops growth, use only nitrogen fertilizers.
- Observe the beet leaves and apply fertilizer depending on the plant's needs.
- To avoid harming the plant, fertilize only after watering.
- Use more organic fertilizers.
- Carry out root and foliar feeding.
