Beet flowers are a natural stage in the plant’s life cycle. While beets are primarily grown for their edible roots, the plant ultimately produces flowers to create seeds, ensuring future generations.
What Are Beet Flowers and Bolting
Beet flowers are typically small and greenish-white, appearing on tall stalks that emerge from the center of the plant. This premature shift of energy from root development to producing flowers and seeds is known as “bolting.” Beets are biennials, naturally flowering in their second year, but stress can cause them to bolt in their first season.
Several environmental factors can trigger early bolting. These include sudden temperature fluctuations, such as cold snaps followed by warm weather, or extended periods of heat above 80°F (26°C). Inconsistent watering (too much or too little), transplanting stress, or improper planting times can also contribute to premature flowering.
Impact on Beet Roots
Once a beet plant bolts, its energy is redirected from enlarging the taproot to developing flower stalks and seeds. This diversion of resources significantly diminishes the quality of the edible root. The roots often become woody, tough, and fibrous.
Additionally, the sweetness and desirable flavor of the beet root decrease considerably once flowering begins. The plant prioritizes reproduction, sacrificing the characteristics that make the root palatable for human consumption. Even if a bolted root is harvested, its culinary appeal will be significantly compromised.
Preventing Beet Bolting
Gardeners can minimize premature flowering in beets through several strategies:
- Select “bolt-resistant” or “slow-bolting” beet varieties, bred to be less susceptible to environmental triggers.
- Plant at the correct time, typically two to three weeks after the last frost, to avoid extreme temperatures.
- Ensure consistent soil moisture through regular watering, as both drought and waterlogged conditions stress the plant.
- Apply a layer of mulch around plants to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture.
- Reduce root disturbance by careful transplanting or direct sowing.
After Beets Flower
If beet plants have bolted, gardeners have a few options:
- Harvest roots immediately; they may still be somewhat edible before becoming too woody or losing sweetness.
- Use the leaves, which generally remain edible like other greens, despite declining root quality.
- Allow flowers to go to seed for seed-saving, though cross-pollination with other beets or chards can lead to variable results.
- Remove bolted plants to free up garden space for new crops.
Beet flowers are technically edible, but their small size and lack of significant flavor mean they are not typically consumed.