Fodder beets: how to plant and care properly

Perhaps the most unpretentious root crop that does not require close attention to itself is fodder beet. Beets contain a lot of nutrients. It is an excellent and balanced food for pets and poultry. Fodder beets are especially valuable in winter. In this article, I will tell you how to properly grow a bountiful harvest of this crop.

Fodder beet: beet varieties

Today there are a huge number of beet varieties. But almost everyone's breeders are breeding new, more hardened beet varieties. The most popular varieties of beets: Lada - has a light burgundy fruit, in the shape of a cylinder. The pulp is very juicy and fleshy. The foliage stays fresh and green about the harvest itself. The variety is resistant to temperature changes. Nadezhda is a red root crop of almost round shape, tops are light green in color. Brings a bountiful harvest, is absolutely not picky about care. Milana is a medium-sized root vegetable, slightly oval in shape. It is immersed in the soil only by one third. The part under the ground is whitish, the part on the ground is green. This root crop gives an average yield. Jamon is a cylindrical orange fruit. The tops are not high, bright emerald hue. The root crop is not susceptible to diseases and infections. Not a bad harvest. Starmon is a yellow root vegetable, conical in shape. It has very high tops with massive white veins. Has an average yield.

Fodder beets: planting times and methods

Fodder beets are planted as soon as the soil warms up a little. If the soil is warm enough, then the seeds begin to germinate as early as the fifth day after sowing. Before planting, the seeds must be thoroughly processed. Beets should be planted no deeper than 5 cm. It is very important that the temperature conditions are suitable for the growth and development of the root crop. If frosts attack, the entire crop will die. If temperature drops are expected, it is best to cover the beds with non-woven material. Loosen the soil and remove weeds regularly. The garden bed where the beets will be planted must be well dug, the clods of earth must be properly leveled. Fertilize the soil with compost or any other organic matter.

Care

In order for the harvest to be plentiful, it is required to follow the rules of agricultural technology. The basics of agricultural technology are frequent weeding, timely watering and disease prevention. If the soil begins to crust over, it should be loosened. I recommend loosening after precipitation, when the ground dries out a little. It is best to build an irrigation scheme based on weather conditions. It is necessary to water the beets very abundantly during the formation of the root crop. Watering should be stopped a month before harvest. If you continue to irrigate the soil, the roots will be watery and unstable. In order to protect the beets from diseases and pests, it is necessary to thoroughly process the soil before planting. We dig up the soil and sprinkle everything well with wood ash.

Harvesting

The ripening period of beets depends on the variety and weather conditions. Root crops are very afraid of the cold, so it is best to dig it before the onset of frost. We carefully get the roots out of the ground, we try not to cause any mechanical damage. The tops must be removed. If the leaves begin to turn yellow and wither, then be sure the beets are already ripe and need to be removed. Now you know almost everything about growing fodder beets and caring for them.With a little effort, beets will give you a bountiful harvest.