Fresh Beet, Thyme, and Apple Salad Recipe from Gardenuity

Fresh Beet, Thyme, and Apple Salad Recipe from Gardenuity

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As the autumn season approaches, now is the perfect time to start a fall garden. The weather has finally begun to cool down, making it an ideal time for planting cool-season crops such as beets.

Beets are a great choice for a cool-season garden as they are hardy and thrive in cooler temperatures. They are a deep-red root vegetable that can be enjoyed in meals throughout the day. In this article, we will provide a guide on how to grow beets for a fall harvest and feature a delicious Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad recipe from Food & Wine.

For best results, plant beet seeds 50 to 70 days before your first expected frost. This timing should be adjusted according to your growing zone—generally from late July to September depending on where you live. Beets prefer cooler soil temperatures between 50°F and 75°F for best germination, so late summer or early fall planting is ideal to avoid heat stress and bolting (premature flowering).

Key steps for fall beet growing include:

1. Sow beet seeds directly in the garden 6–8 weeks before the first frost date, adjusting by your local frost schedule.
2. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart after they emerge to allow enough room for the roots to develop well.
3. Keep the soil evenly moist with about 1 inch of water per week, reducing slightly as temperatures cool.
4. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
5. Consider interplanting fast-growing radishes with beets to provide shade for young beet seedlings and protect soil moisture during warm days.

Beets are frost-tolerant and may become sweeter after a light freeze, so you can often harvest even after the first chill. For best results, select early-maturing or heat-tolerant beet varieties like ‘Early Wonder’ or ‘Boltardy’ for summer planting, or heirlooms like ‘Chioggia’ for fall’s cooler conditions. Harvest young “baby” beets when they reach about 2 inches in diameter or wait for full-sized roots for later fall use.

In addition to providing a productive fall harvest, beets are easy to grow and offer an abundance of health benefits. They are rich in iron, fiber, and vitamins A & C.

For those who are still considering planting their autumn garden, consider getting a vegetable garden kit and herb garden kit to get started.

Now, let's move on to the Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad recipe. This salad is sweet, savory, and a little spicy, making it the perfect dish for autumn. Here's what you'll need:

• 4 large beets
• 5 thyme sprigs
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1/3 cup salted pistachios
• 1 green apple

To prepare the beets, preheat the oven to 375°. In a baking dish, lightly drizzle the beets and thyme with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast the beets until they are tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Let the roasted beets cool, then peel them and cut them into 3/4-inch dice.

In a large bowl, whisk the apple cider vinegar with the mustard. Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup of oil until emulsified. Add the horseradish and season with salt and pepper; toss with the beets and pistachios.

Slice the green apple into matchsticks and add them to the salad. Transfer the beets to a platter, top with the apple and serve. This salad pairs well with a fresh loaf of sourdough bread or Herby Garlic Flatbread.

In conclusion, starting beets in late summer with good moisture, proper spacing, and timely harvest aligned to your frost dates will yield a productive fall beet harvest. And with the Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad recipe, you'll have a delicious way to enjoy your homegrown beets. Happy gardening!

[1] https://www.almanac.com/plant/beet [2] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beet/growing-beets-in-the-fall.htm [3] https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/beets-thyme-apple-salad [4] https://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetables/growing/how-to-grow-beets/

1. In the cooler temperatures of fall, gardening enthusiasts can grow beets as a cool-season crop in their home-and-garden, enjoying the deep-red root vegetable in their lifestyle and food-and-drink recipes, such as the Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad.
2. After planting beet seeds in the garden 6–8 weeks before the first frost date, following steps like thinning seedlings, keeping the soil moist, mulching, and interplanting radishes, you can harvest frost-tolerant beets that may become even sweeter after a light freeze.
3. To diversify your fall gardening, consider getting a vegetable or an herb garden kit, which can help you get started on cultivating various plants for delicious meals and contributing to an overall healthier lifestyle.

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