On the Sustainability Signal thread, we have had discussions about growing three different kinds of beets: sugar beets, garden beets (regular beets), and mangel beets (usually used for animal fodder). Beets set seed during the second year; all three types will cross-pollinate with all of the other varieties, so saving seed can be a challenge. Following is a plan for how you can grow all three kinds of beets each year, without worrying about cross-pollination.
- Year 1: Plant seed for garden beets, sugar beets, and mangels. Save several garden beets for planting out for seed next year.
- Year 2: Plant seed for garden beets, sugar beets, and mangels, and the held-over garden beets from Year 1. Save tons of seed from Year 1’s held-over plants. Save several sugar beets for planting out for seed next year.
- Year 3: Plant seed for garden beets, sugar beets, and mangels, and the held-over sugar beets from Year 2; Save tons of seed from Year 2’s held-over plants. Save several mangels for planting out for seed next year.
- Year 4: Plant seed for garden beets, sugar beets, and mangel beets, and the held-over mangels from Year 3; Save tons of seed from Year 3’s held-over plants. Save several garden beets for planting out for seed next year.
- Year 5: Plant seed for garden beets, sugar beets, and mangel beets, and the held-over garden beets from Year 4; Save tons of seed from Year 4’s held-over plants. Save several sugar beets for planting out for seed next year.
- Year 6: Repeat Year 3.
- Year 7: Repeat Year 4.
- Year 8: Repeat Year 5.
And so on.
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