Small, hard, bland – these are the words that can be used to describe the fruits of an unsuccessful beet harvest.
Gardeners are of the opinion that this root crop does not require special care. But in reality, it is not always limited to watering.
There are several contraindications in caring for beets. It is because of these miscalculations that the harvest most often does not please.
Shadow
Some gardeners are sure that beets love shade. In this case, you should expect a harvest of juicy and tasty, but small root crops.
Soil acidity
Beets need neutral soil (pH 6-7). In acidic soil, beets will be small and dry.
If the acidity is OK, then there is no need to add ash, lime or dolomite flour. Beets grown in alkaline soil are more likely to suffer from scab.
Heavy soil
Dense soil with a hard crust on the surface leads to small, elongated and gnarled fruits. Using sand, humus or sawdust, you can make the soil looser and lighter.
Nitrogen deficiency
The consequence of a lack of macronutrients is small, hard, bitter, pale fruits. Therefore, at the initial stages, you cannot do without nitrogen fertilizers.
Weather conditions
Beets do not like cold. Therefore, summer residents do not rush to sow, waiting for favorable weather conditions. As for harvesting, it is important to do this before the first frosts, otherwise the fruits will darken and will be stored worse.
