What Are Beet Greens How To Use Beet Greens And Harvesting Leafy Beet Tops

When you harvest the beets and roots at the same time, remove the greens from the root as soon as possible, leaving about an inch (2.5 cm.) of stem on each root. If the greens are left on the root, the root becomes soft and unappealing. Beet greens are best when harvested just before you use them.

How do you harvest beet greens?

From a Maturing Crop

For the best taste, beet greens should be cut fresh, when you are ready to use them. Using a sharp knife, cut one or or two of the outer leaves from each plant, slicing through the stem an inch or two above the soil level. Always make sure that the inner leaves are left intact.

Can you eat the leafy greens of beets?

The greens and the stems are edible, and make a great substitute for any green such as spinach, swiss chard, and bok choy. They can be steamed, sauteed, braised, added to soups, and eaten raw. They're yummy and full of vitamins, so don't waste them!

What can beet leaves be used for?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

With eggs. Fold the beet greens into scrambled eggs or an omelet, or add them to your next veggie frittata.
In pasta. Toss the greens with pasta, walnuts, feta cheese, and red pepper flakes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
In a grain bowl.

How do you grow beet greens from beet tops?

Grow Beet Greens at Home (no green thumb needed)

Buy a bunch of beets with the tops still attached.
Trim the greens off (and please use them for cooking! ...
Cut off the top of the beets, LEAVING AT LEAST 1/2 INCH OF BEET ROOT.
Set them cut-side down in a dish of water and leave in a sunny spot in your house. ...
And lastly, some fun beet facts:

Can I harvest beet greens before beets?

If you want to harvest beet greens before the roots are mature, snip just one or two leaves from each plant, leaving the inner leaves intact. ... If you cut back all the leaves, the beet roots might not grow adequately. Beet greens taste best when they've grown to about 6 inches long.

Are beet greens good for you?

No Fat or Cholesterol: Beet greens are nutritious as they are rich in Vitamin K, copper, manganese, iron and calcium, but they are great for maintaining a healthy weight, as they contain zero saturated fat and cholesterol.

What is the healthiest way to cook beets?

The Healthiest Way of Cooking Beets. Cook beets lightly. Studies show beets' concentration of phytonutrients, such as betalains, is diminished by heat. We recommend healthy steaming beets for 15 minutes to maximize their nutrition and flavor.

Are beetroot leaves poisonous?

Beet greens are under-loved. ... But rest assured, unlike rhubarb (who has poisonous leaves), beet greens are totally safe, completely edible, and extremely yummy. You can prepare your leaves much like you would kale. Simply pull the leaves off of the stem, give them a rinse and chop them up.

How do I know when my beets are ready to harvest?

When the diameter of the roots reach 1-3 inches, you know your beets are ready to be picked. Your beets should be deep in color and medium in size. Smaller beets tend to taste better while larger beets tend to have a woodier taste. Water the ground a few days before harvest to loosen up the soil.

Can beet greens be juiced?

You can juice those too. Beet greens contain several vitamins and minerals that are essential to your health. You can either juice the beet greens and beetroots separate or together.

Can I freeze beet greens?

Freezing: If you would prefer to freeze your beet greens for later use the process is quite simple. ... Then transfer to a freezer bag and your greens are ready to use at any time of the year. Beet greens typically last 10 to 12 months in the freezer when prepared in this method.

Can you eat beet skin?

Sometimes beets are peeled before cooking. They may also be scrubbed and cooked until tender with their skins on; the skins slip off fairly easily after cooling. (Some people are happy to leave the skins on; they are fine to eat.) You can also pickle cooked beets.

How many beets does a plant produce?

Each beet seed produces 2 to 6 plants. Space the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart in the row. Cover seeds lightly with loose soil and sprinkle with water. Use seed treated with a fungicide to prevent the young plants from rotting.

What can be planted with beets?

With plenty of beet varieties, beets make great companion plants for your vegetable garden, and are one of the easiest crops to grow.
...
Beets should not be grown near pole beans or field mustard, but a few good companions for beets are:

Onions. ...
Beans. ...
Lettuce. ...
Cabbages. ...
Radishes. ...
Catnip.

How long can beets stay in the ground?

They will keep for one to two weeks. Best Long Term Storage Method: Beets can be stored in damp sand in a cool (32°F to 40°F), humid (95 percent) place such as a root cellar for two to five months.

What happens if you don't thin beets?

Of all the mistakes that are made growing beets, failing to thin seedlings is probably the most common. ... And crowded beets aren't happy beets — you'll get plenty of beet tops, but only spindly roots beneath the soil. You can allow your seedlings to get about 5 inches tall before you thin.

Can you buy just beet greens?

Find Beet Greens at Farmer's Markets. Beet greens are standard fare at most farmers' markets right now, and beets are increasingly available with their greens in supermarkets—well, some supermarkets.

Why are my beets so small?

Small beets can result from a variety of conditions: Lack of light: While beets will grow and produce with only five hours of light, they will not thrive. Six or more hours of sun are preferred. Crowding: Beets need space to develop so difficult as it is, they should be thinned.

Are beet greens high in iron?

Beet greens have a similar colorful look as swiss chard and can be consumed in much of the same way. They also are very high in iron with a higher iron count than spinach as well as vitamin K, B6, magnesium and potassium. They are also a great source of fiber.

Do beets make you poop?

Drinking beet juice or eating boiled beets can offer quick relief from constipation, as beets are high in the fibres that are essential for the smooth movement of the digestive waste through the intestines.

Are beets good for the kidneys?

Also, beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage. They are quite high in oxalates and may promote kidney-stone formation in susceptible individuals. They're full of natural chemicals called nitrates, which can help blood pressure and blood flow.