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Onions & Beets

 

Mid-August Planting: Onions and Beets

Mid-August is a great time to start planting onions and beets. For summer plantings, choose varieties that grow quickly so you can enjoy a harvest before cooler weather sets in.

Growing Onions

Onions are simple to grow, take up little space and are extremely versatile in the kitchen. They’re also tough, withstanding frost, freezing temperatures and even snow.

A few tips:

  • Always use fresh seeds each year, as onion seeds lose viability after one season.
  • Plant in full sun in well-drained, rich soil.
  • Space seedlings 3–4 inches apart in rows 6–10 inches apart.
  • Keep beds weeded and watered (about 1 inch per week).
  • Harvest when the tops fall over and the skins become papery. Clean off dirt, let onions dry for a few days, then trim tops and roots and air-dry another 2–3 days to prevent early spoilage.

Growing Beets

Beets are another easy-to-grow, space-friendly vegetable that thrive in small gardens or even containers. They prefer cool weather and loose, well-drained soil with a slightly alkaline pH.

Here’s how to get the best results:

  • Plant in full sun.
  • Sow seeds 1–1.5 inches deep and about 1 inch apart, covering with ½–¾ inch of soil.
  • Thin seedlings 10–14 days after emergence to 1½–2 inches apart and again a month later to about 4 inches.
  • Harvest roots before they reach 3 inches in diameter to avoid woody, flavorless beets.
  • You can also pick tender leaves as the plants grow, but never remove more than a third at a time.

Always check the seed packet or plant tag for specific planting instructions for your variety. Following these tips will help ensure a healthy, productive late-summer garden.