Also known as Beet · 298 gardener saves
Beta: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Beta, the genus most gardeners know as beet. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Beta varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedChioggia Beet
Beta vulgaris 'Chioggia'
#2 most savedGarden Beet
Beta vulgaris 'Mix'
#3 most savedBull's Blood Beet
Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'
Touchstone Gold Beet
Beta vulgaris 'Touchstone Gold'
Magenta Sunset Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris 'Magenta Sunset'
How to grow Beta
What the Beta varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Beta year
- PlantFebruary, March, April, July and August100% of varieties
Direct sow seeds every 3-4 weeks for continuous harvest; thin seedlings to 3 inches apart.
- HarvestMay–October100% of varieties
Harvest greens sparingly; pull roots when 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter.
- FertilizeApril, May, June and August80% of varieties
Apply a light side dressing of balanced fertilizer or compost mid-season.
- Check for PestsApril–July60% of varieties
Watch for leaf miners; remove affected leaves immediately.
Do
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding
- Apply organic compost regularly
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid waterlogging soil ❌
- Don’t let plants dry out completely
- Refrain from over-fertilizing
What goes wrong with Beta
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root maggots | Wilting and rotting roots | Use beneficial nematodes or crop rotation |
| Slugs | Chewed edges on leaves, slime trails | Use iron phosphate slug bait or handpick at night |
| Downy Mildew | Yellow patches and fuzzy mold on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Root Rot | Soft, decayed roots | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
Making more Beta
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring (6 weeks before last frost).
- Keep soil consistently moist until germination.
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after emergence.
Root cuttings
- Select healthy roots in late fall.
- Cut into 2-3 inch segments and plant horizontally in well-drained soil.
- Water thoroughly and wait for new shoots to develop.
Beta questions
How many types of Beta are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Beta varieties. The most popular — ranked by 298 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Beta grow in?
Across its varieties, Beta covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Beta bloom?
Most Beta varieties bloom in spring (second year), late summer, summer (second year). Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Beta should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Beta shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Beta in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
