Beet belongs to those root crops to which autumn frosts are contraindicated. Even at the slightest podmerzaniye these vegetables will lose in quality and taste that will affect safety terms.
When do remove beet for storage?
Start harvesting of table beet before autumn frosts. And, if the growing root crops can maintain frosts in - 5 wasps then which are dug out and left on beds - freeze slightly at - 2 wasps. Usually terms of harvesting have for the end of September beginning of October. In the southern regions such works are removed for later time.
How to define that root crops of beet have ripened?
In the fall when temperature decreases to 8-12os, leaves stop the growth. But filling root crops continues due to outflow of nutrients from leaves in root. At approach of full maturing the leaves lose the bright coloring and gain yellowish color. It also is the main signal to harvesting.
What to do if root crops have ripened too early?
If the sizes of root crops have reached given sizes, and cleaning terms have not approached yet, then it is possible to cut off tops of vegetable and to leave beet on bed for some time. At dry weather beet can stay on beds up to 10 days.
How to remove beet for storage?
Root crops undermine pitchfork or shovel and extend them for leaves from the soil. Then cut off leaves, having left only scapes up to 2 cm long. At excavation it is impossible to injure beet or to knock root crops the friend about the friend. Even small wounds will become gate for putrefactive infection that will lead to rotting at storage. It is not obligatory to cut off backs.
Remove beet root crops in dry weather. After excavation the harvest is left for couple of hours for drying and transferred to storages. At sunny weather the root crops are quickly aired and longer time of drying leads to siccation.