Beet Germination Time [And How to Speed It Up]
I’ve been trying beets in different soils, moisture conditions, and temperatures to see how they germinate. Today I want to share some of my findings.
Most seed packets will tell you that beet seeds germinate within 5 to 21 days. That’s a big range and it’s because of the conditions that you place the seed in.
How to Germinate Beets in 3 Days
The fastest germination I’ve ever had was under the following conditions.
I planted beet seeds in a potting mix, kept the soil consistently moist, and kept the soil temperatures between 70°F and 80°F. I also soaked the seeds for 24 hours before planting.
This germinated 94% of my beet seeds within 3 days. The remainder came in a few days after that. That’s pretty fast for beet seeds.
I have an entire article about the results of soaking beet seeds vs not soaking them. Depending on the variety of beet, it does make a significant difference for some. However, in this article, I want to focus on the other factors: soil type, moisture, and temperature.
Soil and Germination
Beet seeds need to make good contact with the soil. This helps them germinate. That’s why I like to start my seeds in a potting mix. I have an entire article about different soil mixes and which ones I’ve found best for beets if you’re interested.
But the important thing here is that good soils make a lot of contact with the seed. They also don’t form a crust on the surface like compost and other soils do which can make it harder for the beet sprout to break through and emerge.
Depth also matters. My general rule of thumb is the smaller the seed, the shallower it should be planted. You’ll notice that beet seeds aren’t that big. They only need a sprinkle of dirt on top of them to help prevent them from drying out.
Shallow planting and good soil makes a huge difference in germination time.
Moisture and Germination
The second factor to germinating beet seeds quickly is moisture.
Beet seeds aren’t actually seeds. Rather, they’re a dried fruit that contains multiple seeds or what many of us refer to as a multigerm seed. That’s why if you buy good seeds, you don’t need to plant two or three seeds and then thin them later.
I only ever plant one beet seed per location. And that will typically produce a cluster of 2 or even 5 beet seedlings.
Image: Beet Seedling Germinated in Raised Bed Under Shade Net in September.
Each seed has an outer coating that must soften before the seed inside can germinate. Keeping the soil consistently moist (not soggy) helps with this.
This can be a challenge for fall planting because if you live somewhere like me, in Southern California, it still is very sunny and can be quite warm in September and October.
That’s why I’ve taken to either using a shade net when I direct sow or sowing in seed cells that I can place in the shade. Beet seeds don’t need sunlight to germinate, but once they do emerge, you want to get them in the sun asap. And yes, contrary to what some say, beets transplant just fine.
Another option is to grow beets in grow bags or containers. Place the pot in the shade to help the soil retain moisture and then move it into full sun after the seedlings emerge.
If you use one of the soil mixes I recommend, you won’t have a problem with drainage or the soil becoming too wet. If you’re growing in something else, I use this digital 4-in-1 soil moisture meter and water the soil until it reads normal on the meter.
Long story short, don’t let the top 2 inches of soil dry out if you want your seeds to germinate quickly.
Temperature and Germination
Temperature is a big one. The optimal temperature for beet germination is in the upper 70°F range, closer to 80°F. And I’m talking soil temperatures, not air temperatures. I find that soil temps vary by anywhere from 10°F to 20°F from the air.
In temperatures close to 80°F with all other conditions I described being met, I’ve had seeds germinate between 3 to 5 days I mentioned earlier.
In temperatures between 62°F and 68°F, it took me 10 to 14 days for seeds to germinate in similar conditions.
It doesn’t get very cold where I live and our ground rarely freezes, but I suspect that in cooler temperatures such as 40°F to 60°F, it may take even longer than 2 weeks for beet seeds to germinate. If you’ve planted beets in these temperature ranges, I’d love to hear in the comments how long it took for them to emerge.
Beet seeds are a cold-season crop, but like carrots and broccoli, they germinate faster in warmer temperatures and the seedlings I find do better in warmer temps too. You just don’t want to grow mature plants in the heat. This is why I always get my best crops in the fall and not the spring.
Beets will germinate in temperatures above 40°F, it just may take closer to 3 weeks before they do so. If I was growing in colder temperatures, I would start my seeds in seed cell trays where I can control the temperature because I don’t like to wait longer for my food.
If you want to read about transplanting beets, I’ve got an article about how I do so, and the results coming soon.
Germination Time for Beets FAQ
Are Beets Hard to Germinate?
No, I find beet seeds very easy to germinate if you have quality seeds, have quality soil, and keep the soil consistently moist.
What Month is Best to Plant Beets?
It depends on where you live, but here in Southern California, the best time to plant beets is in the fall in September or October because they will germinate faster.
Why Are My Beet Seeds Not Germinating?
If your beet seeds aren’t germinating, it’s most likely an issue with soil contact, moisture, or temperature. Use a high-quality soil mix, keep the soil consistently moist, and keep the soil warm, preferably between 70°F and 80°F for the fastest germination.
Other common problems I see with beet germination include:
Planting too deep
Dislodging seeds by watering with too much water pressure
Severe temperature swings from hot to cold, especially when there are big changes from day and night temps
And more rare, sometimes fungi in the soil can cause dampening off
If you’ve done all of those things, you may have an issue with the seeds and I would contact your seed company for a replacement. Make sure you inform them of the lot number on the packet so they can investigate.
How to Speed Up Beet Germination?
The fastest germination for beets I’ve had is 3 days. If you want to speed up the process, soak the seeds for 24 hours overnight. Plant them shallow in a high-quality potting mix and don’t let the soil dry out.
If growing beets in a container or seed cell starter, you can make use of a heat mat or grow light to warm the soil. Beets germinate fastest in soil that is between 70°F and 80°F.
Beets Germination Time Recommended Reading
Is It Worth Soaking Beet Seeds Before Planting [My Experiment Results]
