Masterclass: Beets, Radishes & Turnips in the Bay Area (Sunset 14–17; [USDA 9–10])

Root crops love the Bay Area’s cool nights and mild days—especially as we roll from late summer into fall. This masterclass bundles three kitchen heroes—beets, radishes, and turnips—and shows you exactly how to dial them in for coast/fog belt, bayside flats, and inland microclimates. We’ll cover the right varieties for local conditions, quick in-ground vs. container plans that actually fit Bay Area yards and patios, and simple tricks for succession sowing so you’re pulling crisp roots for weeks (not one big glut).

Timing matters. In our region, you can direct-sow beets from late summer into fall and keep going through winter in many spots; radishes sprint to the finish in just a few weeks; turnips are cool-season champs with best flavor between ~50–65°F — a match made in San Mateo–to–Marin weather. We’ll lean on local guidance for planting windows, spacing, and IPM so you avoid common pitfalls like bolting, pithy roots, and leafminer damage. Below are clear spacing diagrams, container depths that won’t stunt roots, and a painless pest plan (hello, flea beetles — goodbye, shotgun-hole leaves).

Below you’ll find:

• Microclimate-specific timing and variety picks (including Detroit Dark Red & Chioggia beets; Cherry Belle & Easter Egg radishes; Scarlet Queen & Hakurei-type salad turnips).

• Exact container depths and raised-bed spacing that work here.

• A 4-week quickstart and 8-week extended checklist for steady harvests.

• Companion/interplanting tactics that are practical (shade, sequencing, and row-markers) without the myths.

If you garden on the coast, in the flats, or up in the warmer hills, this guide gives you a crisp, sweet, never-woody harvest—and a little wiggle room for life to happen between sowings.

Microclimate breakdown (Sunset + [USDA])

• Coast & Fog Belt (Sunset 17 [USDA 10])

  Prime cool-season territory. Direct-sow all three from late Aug–Oct; keep beds evenly moist. Growth is steady; flavor is excellent. Watch leafminers on beets/chard—remove mined leaves and use row cover on seedlings.

• Bayside Flats (Sunset 16 [USDA 9/10])

  Sow beets late summer–fall; radish and turnip September–October for best texture. Succession every 1–2 weeks.

  
  

• Inland & Hills (Sunset 14–15 [USDA 9])

  Start as nights cool. Hot spikes can make roots spicier or strong-flavored—mulch, keep water even, and harvest promptly. Turnips taste best at 50–65°F.

Variety picks that shine here

Beets (sweet, dependable)

• Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, Formanova/Cylindra, Touchstone Gold, Bull’s Blood (greens + roots). Local gardener trials list these as reliable performers.

Radishes (speed demons

• Cherry Belle, Easter Egg Hybrid (quick “spring” types);

• Icicle and April Cross (daikon/winter types) for fall sowing. These as strong California performers.

Turnips (tender to bold)

• Scarlet Queen, Golden Globe, De Milan, White Lady (plus salad-type Hakurei/Tokyo market styles).

In-ground vs. containers (what actually fits)

Containers (minimum soil depth):

• Radish: 6–9” (window box works).

• Beet: 12–18” (half-barrel depth is great).

• Turnip: ~12”+ preferred.

  
  

  Use quality potting mix and keep moisture even; shallow pots dry fast.

Raised beds (example 4’×8’)

• Pattern A (salad factory): 2 rows beets at 4” spacing, 2 rows radish at 2”, 1 row salad turnips at 4–6”.

• Pattern B (staggered): Alternate radish rows between beets/turnips; radishes come out first, opening space for roots to size.

In-ground

• Fine, loose seedbed; rake smooth. Mark rows with quick radish sowings so you don’t over-thin beet/turnip rows later. (Radishes “flag” the row, then you eat them.)

Spacing, sowing & thinning

• Beet: Direct-sow late Aug–Sept; thin seedlings from each seed-cluster to one plant; harvest roots at 1–3” (greens anytime).

• Radish: Sow ½” deep, thin to 1–2”; succession every 7–10 days—they don’t hold in soil.

• Turnip: Thin seedlings to 4–6” once 2” tall; most mature 2–3 months (salad types faster).

Pests & problems (simple, effective fixes)

• Beet leafminer: Silvery tunnels in leaves—clip off mined leaves; protect seedlings with row cover; plants usually outgrow light damage.

• Flea beetles (radish/turnip): Tiny “shot holes.” Use row cover at emergence; keep weeds down; steady moisture.

• Off flavors / pithy roots: Heat or drought stress—sow in the cool window and harvest on time. Turnips taste best cool (50–65°F).

Companion & interplanting (practical, not mystical)

• Row markers: Sow a fast radish line over your beet and turnip rows; radishes break crust and pop first so thinning is easier. (Then you eat the markers.)

• Living mulch timing: After pulling radishes, tuck in baby lettuces between beets to shade soil and hold moisture (especially inland).

• Aromatics on the bed edge: Calendula or chives for pollinator/beneficial traffic (general good practice).

Quickstart checklists

4-Week Sprint (radish focus)

Week 1: Prep, sow radish + a test row of beets.

Week 2: Thin; start second radish sowing.

Week 3: First radish harvest; sow turnips.

Week 4: Second radish harvest; beets sizing.

8-Week Root Parade (all three)

Week 1: Prep + sow all; cover seedlings if flea beetles active.

Week 2–3: Thin to final spacing; keep moisture even.

Week 4–5: Begin radish harvest; side-dress beets/turnips lightly.

Week 6–8: Harvest salad turnips; beets 1–3”. Re-sow radish.

GrowBot did some digging… If your radishes are spicy enough to power a small scooter, it’s not you—it’s heat stress. Plant the next round a week later (cooler forecast) and keep the soil evenly moist. Your taste buds will forgive you.

Downloads

• (Future) Printable PDF: Root Rush — Beets, Radishes & Turnips (Bay Area Planting Plan + Spacing Chart)

• (Future) One-pager: Container depth cheat-sheet.