beets in a greenhouse

Question

This year I planted them in fall in the greenhouse. They spent 8 weeks growing, then I put them in the cold room where they stayed for 8 weeks. We have done this process many times and never had a problem until this time. After taking them out of the cold room, they go back in the greenhouse, but when they started growing this time, they grew very large roots on top of the soil with very little stocks or leaves. What happened? Any ideas?

Thanks, Sherri B.

Answer 1

With some beet varieties, the beetroot part will normally push above ground when they are nearly ready to be harvested.

If that's not normal for your variety, is it possible the soil could have become compacted so that the roots couldn't push into it well? This could also happen with very sandy soil or if the soil temperature was too high. Check whether the soil or any of the conditions changed since last time you grew beets.

Also, check whether any of these problems could be happening:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beets/beets-small-or-deformed.htm