Beet is a sweet and healthy garden vegetable loaded with antioxidants. It grows best when planted during the spring or late summer. They can survive freezing conditions and grow well under full exposure to the sun.
As a result of frost resistance, they are a good choice for gardeners in the northern latitudes. There are different varieties of Beet, ranging from deep red to white to yellow. The beetroot, as well as the leaves of the Beet, can be consumed safely.
Also Read: Companion Planting Chart (Ultimate Guide!)
14 Best Beets Companion Plants
There are several plants that you can grow gainfully, along with Beet. Some of them are mentioned below:
Vegetables:
1. Broccoli
Beet and broccoli make for a very good pair. The broccoli takes in calcium from the soil as if it cannot have enough of it, while the Beet requires very little calcium. Given this fact, Beet makes for a much better companion for broccoli than carrots and tomatoes. Planting the latter with broccoli would cause it to be deficient in calcium.
2. Brussels Sprouts
While you are growing Brussels sprouts, you need to take care that there is no deficiency of magnesium in the soil. Beets contribute minerals such as magnesium to the soil, and hence they are good for the sprouts.
3. Cabbage
Members of the cabbage family make for good companions with the Beet. For instance, kohlrabi or kale may be planted near the Beet to help enrich the quality of the soil on which it is being grown.
4. Cauliflower
Similar to Beet, cauliflower is also a cool-weather crop. Not only is the crop quality improved, but the shade cast during the afternoons is also better, protecting the Beet.
5. Lettuce
Just like spinach, lettuce is a leafy green that does not tend to compete with Beet for resources. The leafy green plants can help to choke out weeds from the soil and act as a mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
6. Onions
The best companions for the beet plant are vegetables such as onions, garlic, etc., or stinking lilies. They are a natural repellant for insects that feed upon the beet plant, such as fleas, potato beetles, and aphids.
Herbs:
7. Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb that keeps pests away from the Beet.
8. Hyssop
The hyssop grows to be a bit large. Therefore, it is useful in providing shade to the Beet so that its roots stay cool. The shade created from planting hyssop may also help the beet plant retain its moisture during the latter part of the summer season.
9. Rosemary
Of course, growing rosemary could be beneficial for you while cooking. If you are looking for a herb to add some extra zing to your dishes, growing rosemary is a good idea. It is also useful in repelling pests.
10. Mint
Because of its distinct smell, mint is also a good deterrent to pests. However, care should be exercised while planting mint, and it is advisable to plant them in pots instead of in the soil. Pests cannot stand the strong smell of the mint.
11. Catnip
Catnip is one of the best pest-resistant herbs out there. It can drive away many non-beneficial insects, such as potato beetles, aphids, and bugs. It is also beneficial against mice, who can tend to feed on the beet leaves. It should be considered that the Beet should be planted strategically among the catnip, as the latter can grow out of control if the seeds spread.
Flowering Plants:
12. Sweet Alyssum
This flower is passable as a beet companion plant. It is good in the form of a mulch and thus helps the ground retain moisture, keeping it cool. Since it is a flower, its foliage creates shelter-like conditions for beneficial insects like spiders and ground beetles, which can drive away more destructive pests.
13. Nasturtium
Not only do the two work well in the garden, but they also do well when combined during cooking. The nasturtiums add spice to the dishes that have been prepared with Beet. If added together, the nasturtiums add a light peppery taste to the earthiness of the beetroot. The nasturtiums come in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to red, and along with the Beet, they create a beautiful landscape in the garden.
14. Marigold
The strong scent of the marigold has several benefits for the beet plant. They attract beneficial predatory insects, such as hoverflies and ladybugs, that can keep away infestations such as the likes of aphids. Turning marigolds into the soil at the end of the season helps to fight insects at the root level, such as nematodes.
Beets Companion Plants: Plants to Avoid
These plants should be avoided when planting around Beet:
Field Mustard
When grown along with Beet, the field mustard sucks off nutrients from the soil, leaving very little for the Beet to thrive on. The beets would grow poorly and not mature to their full potential.
Chard
Chard comes from a genus that is related to Beet, which is commonly known as goosefoot, and it is advisable to avoid planting them together. They tend to attract similar types of pests to each other, and this would increase the damage which is caused to either crop.
Pole Beans
Unlike other varieties of beans, pole beans should not be grown around Beet. The two would tend to hinder the growth of each other. As the pole bean tends to release excessive amounts of nitrogen, there would be more foliage and small tubers growing up. It would be counterproductive for the objective of Beet growing.
Tips For A Better Beet Harvest
- After the onset of spring, Beet should be planted in successive rounds after every 2 to 3 weeks.
- The soil pH should be roughly between 6.0 to 7.0, and it should be slightly alkaline. Ensure that the soil does not contain any rocks or other obstacles.
- To speed up the germination process, you may soak the seeds in a water bowl for a whole day before planting.
- Mulching should be done regularly with the addition of water. Beets need substantial moisture to grow well.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed some of the main plants that go well when planted alongside Beet. We hope the article will be useful for you in growing Beet and thus consuming it, whether in the form of juice or as a raw vegetable!