Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Sugar Beet — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Beta vulgaris |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 10–26.7 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–110 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 10.2–20.3 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 15.2–30.5 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow sugar beet seeds about half an inch deep and thin seedlings to 4 to 8 inches apart to give the large roots room to swell. This heirloom biennial forms sucrose-rich white roots up to 12 inches long with leafy tops nearly two feet tall. Keep the soil loose, evenly moist, and free of competition so the roots grow smooth and full. Harvest in late fall before hard freezes for home sugar extraction, livestock feed, or soil improvement.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0