# Add THIS To Your Soil For Perfect BEET Tops (Every Time) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbvtqcO9bo Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/csbvtqcO9bo Generated: 2025-11-11T09:07:21.378+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The direct seeding method for growing beets proved superior to transplanting, resulting in better germination, healthier beet tops, and a faster harvest time of 60 days or less, allowing the farmer to avoid transplant shock and produce marketable beets without needing to thin seedlings. **Key Points:** - Direct seeding of beets yielded better results than transplanting, avoiding transplant shock and resulting in healthier overall growth. - Beets grown via direct seeding matured in 60 days or less, compared to the hand-transplanted beets which required a few extra weeks. - The direct-seeded beets showed excellent uniformity and did not require thinning, unlike the paper pot transplants which often dropped too much seed. - The farmer uses Azomite (volcanic rock dust containing over 70 trace minerals) in the soil preparation for direct seeding to promote healthy beet tops. - The direct seeding process involved preparing beds with compost, using a Jang Seeder for precise seed placement (one seed per cell), and then covering the rows with shade cloth to mitigate summer heat. - The farmer is delivering 8-31 pounds of harvested beets and 10 pounds of fennel to Chef Avi at KoPita Restaurant in Knoxville, TN, for a beet salad dish. - The video highlights the importance of proper soil fertility and consistent moisture (using drip irrigation) throughout the growth cycle. ![Screenshot at 29:24: The farmer triumphantly holds up a large bunch of freshly harvested, well-formed beets grown via direct seeding, contrasting them with the smaller, stressed beets from the transplanting method.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-29-24.png) **Context:** The video documents a small-scale farming experiment comparing two methods for growing beets: direct seeding versus transplanting via paper pots. The farmer, who transitioned from being an executive chef to a market gardener, details the setup, execution, and final harvest comparison of both methods to determine the most efficient and profitable approach for small-scale market gardening. ## Detailed Analysis The video compares direct seeding versus transplanting methods for growing beets, concluding that direct seeding yielded superior results. The farmer used Vermont Compost Fort Vee potting mix for starting seeds in 288-cell paper pot trays for the transplanting method, but found the seedlings grew too large (4 weeks old) and tangled their roots, leading to transplant shock when moved to the field. For the direct-seeded beets, the farmer prepared the beds with compost, mixed in Azomite (volcanic rock dust containing trace minerals), and used a Jang Seeder to drop seeds precisely 4 inches apart directly into the beds, watering with drip irrigation and covering them with shade cloth during the hot summer months. The direct-seeded beets matured faster (under 60 days) and had better overall health, including vibrant tops, compared to the hand-transplanted ones. The farmer also shows the successful harvest of beets and fennel, which are then delivered to Chef Avi at KoPita Restaurant in Knoxville, TN, for a beet salad dish. ### Beet Growing Methods Comparison - Direct seeding resulted in faster growth (under 60 days) and healthier plants compared to transplanting; Transplanted beets experienced shock and took longer to mature. ### Seeding and Transplanting Setup - Used 288-cell paper pot trays for transplants; Direct seeding used a Jang Seeder with 4-inch spacing, avoiding the need to thin seedlings. ### Soil Amendment Strategy - Incorporated Azomite (volcanic rock dust with 70+ trace minerals) during bed preparation to promote strong, healthy beet tops. ### Post-Planting Care - Utilized drip irrigation for 30 minutes daily and used shade cloth over the direct-seeded rows to mitigate summer heat stress. ### Harvest and Delivery - Harvested beets that were direct-seeded showed excellent uniformity and size; Delivered produce (including 30-35 lbs of beets) to Chef Avi at KoPita Restaurant (507 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN) for a beet salad. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Farmer proudly holding up large, healthy beets harvested from the field.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:01: Close-up of beet seedlings growing densely in a paper pot tray in the greenhouse.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 00:11: Farmer using a walk-behind seeder in prepared garden beds.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-00-11.png) ![Screenshot at 00:28: Chef Avi in the kitchen preparing a dish, showing beet-based ingredients being mixed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-00-28.png) ![Screenshot at 01:07: Close-up of the finished beet carpaccio dish being presented by Chef Avi.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-01-07.png) ![Screenshot at 01:33: Farmer washing a large harvest of beets on an outdoor table.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-01-33.png) ![Screenshot at 02:24: Farmer explaining the 264 paper pot chains with 4-inch spacing used for transplanting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-02-24.png) ![Screenshot at 05:54: Farmer holding up a bag of greens next to a large cooler inside a storage trailer.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-05-54.png) ![Screenshot at 08:05: Farmer interacting with a goat, highlighting the need for animal protection in the garden.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-08-05.png) ![Screenshot at 09:09: Farmer using a drill-powered tool \(likely a tiller/cultivator\) to mix Azomite into the compost in the garden beds.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/csbvtqcO9bo/00-09-09.png)