Beets grow poorly - how to feed them: determine the lack of trace elements and select the best fertilizer composition

Beets are a common vegetable crop that grows in almost every vegetable garden. For experienced gardeners, the root crop grows large and sweet. But what if the beets don't grow? In this article, we will tell you in detail about the rules for caring for beets and the best fertilizers for them.

Why beets grow poorly

To get a good harvest of beets, you need to follow the rules of planting, care and feeding... When planting, choose well-lit places on the site, and make the sides of the beds high enough. But it happens that even if these conditions are met, the seedlings grow poorly, the plants look stunted, and the fruits are small and tasteless.

How to determine which micronutrients are missing

The lack of trace elements in the soil can significantly affect the quality and quantity of the beet crop.

It is not difficult to determine what substances a vegetable lacks for normal formation. To do this, pay attention to the state of the tops and root crops:

• yellow spots on the foliage indicate a potassium deficiency;
• too red tops indicates a lack of sodium;
• weak underdeveloped leaves are a sign of a lack of nitrogen;
• beet core rotting is a clear sign that boron should be added to the soil.

How to feed beets

Both organic and chemical fertilizers are used to fertilize beet plantings.

Organic include:

• infusions of plants with the addition of yeast;
• mullein;
• bird droppings.

Of the chemicals, the following drugs are most popular:

• potassium sulfate;
• superphosphate;
• ammonium nitrate.

Purchased ready-made minerals

There are dozens of types of ready-made mineral fertilizers for fertilizing root crops, they are complex and one-component. Consider the most popular and effective preparations among experienced gardeners.

"Bordeaux"

A complex product that not only supplies beets with all the substances necessary for full-fledged growth, but also protects them from dangerous diseases of cultivated plants. Bordeaux contains trace elements, potassium - 18%, phosphorus - 16%, nitrogen - 13%.

This fertilizer is used both to saturate the soil with useful substances before planting, and for the first feeding. It is used both dry and as a solution. "Bordeaux" increases productivity, improves the appearance of root crops and taste. When using this preparation, no other fertilizers are required.

"NPK complex"

For greater efficiency, this drug is recommended to be used in combination with nitroammophos. When used, the components are diluted in equal parts.

The complex is most suitable for fertilizing the soil before planting beets. First, a ridge is dug, then fertilizer is evenly scattered over its entire surface and carefully leveled with a rake. The final stage of processing will be watering. It is recommended to use the fertilizer at least 5 days before planting the seeds.

Ammonium nitrate

The drug saturates the soil with nitrogen and is used for the first plant feeding when mass shoots appear. Fertilizer is carefully diluted in 10 liters of water and applied not at the root, but in the furrows between the plants.

Folk remedies

Natural fertilizers are considered to be no less effective than off-the-shelf commercial preparations. Such funds are applied to the soil in autumn, spring and during the summer. To saturate the soil with useful substances before planting and after harvesting, mullein, compost and humus are introduced into it.

Important! It is not recommended to apply fresh manure to the ridges, as it oversaturates the soil and can cause underdevelopment and deformation of the fruits.

Chicken droppings and mullein

An infusion of chicken manure or mullein will saturate the soil with nitrogen. Ideal for the first root feeding. It is not recommended to apply it directly under the root. It is best to fill the furrows with it between plantings.

When preparing the solution, use the following concentrations: for mullein - 1: 8, for chicken manure - 1:12. Most of it is water. The specified norms must not be exceeded, since the roots of the plant can be burned.

Ash

Suitable for a second feeding. They are used both dry and diluted in water. For the norm, 1 glass is enough per 1 m2.

Infusion of herbs and weeds

Grind the herbs and cover with warm water. Let it brew in warm water for several days until the infusion turns light brown. Fertilize beets with them every 10 days.

Yeast

Feeding from yeast is prepared as follows: 25 g of the product is diluted in 10 liters of water, infused for at least 2 hours. You can water the plants with this solution once every 10 days.

Salt

Watering with salt water is carried out both to improve the taste of beets (it becomes sweeter) and to saturate the fruit with the necessary microelements.

Complementary feeding scheme

Fertilizers for beets are used in several stages per season. The maximum break between dressings is 15 days, the last application is possible 20 days before harvest.

First feeding

Before fertilizing, the plantings are thinned out and furrows are made between them.

The following solutions are used:

• ammonium nitrate - 30 g per 10 liters of water;
• mullein - 1 kg per 10 liters of water;
• bird droppings - 1 kg per 15 liters of water.

After application, the soil between the rows is loosened.

Second feeding

The second fertilization of the soil during the season occurs during the period of the beginning of fruit formation. Only required if there is a nitrogen deficiency. For this, the following solution is prepared: 40 g of sulfuric potassium and superphosphate are carefully diluted in 10 liters of water. Solution consumption - 10 running meters.

Third feeding

Recommended to be done 20-30 days before harvest. This contributes to the filling of root crops and the improvement of their qualities.

In this case, the dry method is used:

• potassium nitrate: 50 g per 1 m2;
• magnesium sulfate or potassium magnesium: 20 g per 1 m2.

If there is a shortage of boron in the soil, a boric acid solution is used in proportions of 2.5 g of powder per 10 liters of water.

Beet feeding instructions

Beets react positively to fertilization. The main thing is not to oversaturate the soil and not burn the roots. It is recommended to observe the exact proportions when preparing solutions.

Important! It is impossible to apply the preparations directly under the root, it is better to make shallow furrows in the aisles before watering.

Observe the following rules for each feeding:

• the first is carried out when 2 full leaves;
• the second - after the tops are closed;
• the third - when a root crop appears above the ground;
• the fourth feeding is carried out in case of emergency 15 days after the third.

The nuances of fertilizing in the greenhouse and in the open field

Growing beets in the greenhouse and in the open field is different from each other, so the care will be different. The main difference is that fertilizing in the greenhouse is carried out less often, while it is necessary to maintain normal humidity. Since the soil in the greenhouse dries out quickly and retains nutrients longer than in an open place.

Root and foliar feeding

Root dressing is used less frequently than foliar dressing, since the second type of fertilization is considered more effective.

For root feeding, phosphoric and potash fertilizers, salt and boric acid solutions are used. The interval between them is at least 15 days.

Foliar dressing has the following advantages:

• can be carried out at any time;
• overdose is excluded;
• minerals are absorbed by the vegetable faster.

Advice from experienced gardeners

To grow delicious beets and reap a rich harvest, heed the advice of experienced gardeners. When growing this root vegetable, they recommend:

• do not neglect the application of fertilizers in the open field;
• apply drugs only after glaze;
• immediately after planting, apply fertilizers containing nitrogen;
• carefully observe the state of the tops and, at the slightest changes in its appearance, feed them with appropriate formulations.

Conclusion

Competent care of beet planting will provide even a novice gardener with a bountiful harvest. The main thing is to comply with the fertilizer application schemes and proportions during their preparation, observe the condition of root crops and respond in a timely manner to all external changes.