• About
  • Articles
    • Animals
      • Bees
        • Bees Used for Landmine Detection
        • Honeybee Facts
        • How to Help Endangered Bees
        • Loss of Bees Threatens Global Food System
        • Plants That Attract Bees
      • Birds
        • Bird Expressions Gallery
        • How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
        • Hummingbird Feeders
        • Hummingbird Gardening
        • Plants That Attract Birds
          • Plants That Attract Bluebirds
          • Plants That Attract Buntings
          • Plants That Attract Bush Tits
          • Plants That Attract Cardinals
          • Plants That Attract Catbirds
          • Plants That Attract Chickadees
          • Plants That Attract Doves
          • Plants That Attract European Robins
          • Plants That Attract Finches
          • Plants That Attract Grosbeaks
          • Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
          • Plants That Attract Jays
          • Plants That Attract Juncos
          • Plants That Attract Mockingbirds
          • Plants That Attract North American Robins
          • Plants That Attract Nuthatches
          • Plants That Attract Orioles
          • Plants That Attract Pine Siskins
          • Plants That Attract Sparrows
          • Plants That Attract Tanagers
          • Plants That Attract Thrashers
          • Plants That Attract Thrushes
          • Plants That Attract Titmice
          • Plants That Attract Towhees
          • Plants That Attract Warblers
          • Plants That Attract Waxwings
          • Plants That Attract Woodpeckers
          • Plants That Attract Wrens
        • What to Put in Bird Feeders
      • Butterflies
        • Butterfly Gardening
        • Butterfly Plants
        • How to Make a Butterfly Feeder
      • Cats
        • Big Cats and Small Wild Cats
          • Chinese Public Supports Tiger Trade Ban: 2008 Poll Shows Majority in China Against Legalizing Tiger Products
          • How to Help Endangered Wild Cats
          • How to Reduce the Risk of Cougar Attacks
          • Rare White Lion Cubs Born
          • Social Structure of Feral Cat Colonies
          • The African Black-Footed Cat: Felis Nigripes, One of the Smallest Wild Felines in the World
          • The Endangered Florida Panther
          • The Endangered Scottish Wildcat: Efforts to Save the Tiger of the Highlands
          • The Rarest Wild Cats in the World
          • White Tiger Facts
          • Why Lions Have Manes
          • Why Tigers Are Endangered
          • Wild Cats of Canada: the Bobcat, the Lynx, and the Cougar
        • Cat Breeds
          • 10 Unusual Cat Breeds
          • Abyssinian Cat Breed Profile
          • American Bobtail Cat Breed Profile
          • American Curl Cat Breed Profile
          • American Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • American Wirehair Cat Breed Profile
          • Balinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Bengal Cat Breed Profile
          • Birman Cat Breed Profile
          • Bombay Cat Breed Profile
          • British Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Burmese Cat Breed Profile
          • California Spangled Cat Breed Profile
          • Cat Breeds That Get Along Well with Dogs
          • Chartreux Cat Breed Profile
          • Chausie Cat Breed Profile
          • Colourpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Cornish Rex Cat Breed Profile
          • Donskoy Cat Breed Profile
          • Egyptian Mau Breed Profile
          • Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Guide to Cat Breed Personality Traits
          • Guide to Cat Breeder Terminology
          • Guide to Cat Coat Colours, Patterns, and Markings
          • Guide to Cat Fur, Face, and Body Types
          • Himalayan Cat Breed Profile
          • How Many Cat Breeds Are There?
          • Javanese Cat Breed Profile
          • Korat Cat Breed Profile
          • Kurilian Bobtail Breed Profile
          • LaPerm Cat Breed Profile
          • Maine Coon Cat Breed
          • Manx Cat Breed Profile
          • Mythical Cat Breeds, Frauds, and Hoaxes
          • Nebelung Cat Breed Profile
          • Norwegian Forest Cat Breed Profile
          • Ocicat Breed Profile
          • Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Persian Cats: What Prospective Adopters Need to Know
          • Peterbald Cat Breed Profile
          • Pixie-Bob Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragamuffin Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragdoll Cat Breed
          • Russian Blue Cat Breed Profile
          • Savannah Cat Breed Profile
          • Scottish Fold Cat Breed Profile
          • Siamese Cat Breed
          • Siberian Cat Breed Profile
          • Singapura Cat Breed Profile
          • Snowshoe Cat Breed Profile
          • Sphynx Cat Breed Profile
          • Tonkinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Toyger Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Angora Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Van Cat Breed Profile
        • Cat Care
          • Adopting a Cat
          • Alternatives to Declawing
          • Are Poinsettias Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
          • Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs
          • Best Cat Toys
          • Can I Give My Cat or Dog Aspirin or Tylenol?
          • Cat Aggression Treatments
          • Cat Boarding Kennels: How to Choose the Best
          • Cat Fences and Enclosures
          • Cat or Dog Sprayed by a Skunk: How to Remove Skunk Odour
          • Cat Urine: How to Clean It and Get Rid of the Odour
          • Children and Cats
          • Clingy Cats: How to Reduce Separation Anxiety
          • Common Cat Allergies: Substances That Cause Allergic Reactions in Cats
          • Disaster Preparedness for Cats and Dogs
          • Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
          • Feliway for Cats
          • Foods That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Free and Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinics
          • Halloween Cat Sacrifices: Real Danger or Urban Legend?
          • How to Brush a Cat’s Teeth
          • How to Cat-Proof a Home
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Be More Affectionate
          • How to Give a Cat a Bath
          • How to Groom a Cat
          • How to Help Fat Cats Lose Weight
          • How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat
          • How to Introduce a New Cat to a Resident Cat
          • How to Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Winter
          • How to Play with a Cat
          • How to Prevent Cat Conflicts in Multicat Households
          • How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats
          • How to Protect Your Pets from Pet Thieves
          • How to Remove Glue, Paint, Oil, Varnish, Gasoline, Tar, or Grease from Cat Fur
          • How to Start an Animal Shelter
          • How to Stop a Dog from Attacking a Cat
          • How to Stop Cats from Catching Birds
          • Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats and Dogs
          • Indoor Cats: Can They Be Happy?
          • Living with Cat Allergies
          • Microchipping, Tattooing, GPS, and Collar ID for Cats and Dogs
          • Moving with Cats
          • Myths About Spaying and Neutering
          • Natural Anxiety Remedies for Cats and Dogs
          • Natural Flea Control for Cats and Dogs
          • Onions Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Pet-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
          • Pet-Safe Plants
          • Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Propylene Glycol Antifreeze Safer for Pets
          • Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
          • Retirement Homes for Cats and Dogs
          • Spaying and Neutering Facts: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
          • The Benefits of Play Therapy for Cats
          • The Declawing Information Page
          • Tips for Finding Lost Pets
          • Travelling with a Cat
          • Your Life Can Improve With the Right Pet
        • Cat Charities
        • Cat Expressions Gallery 2
        • Cat Facts
          • Ailurophobia: Fear of Cats
          • Are All White Cats with Blue Eyes Deaf?
          • Are Cats and Dogs Colour-Blind?
          • Black and White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted
          • Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Facts and Photos
          • Can Cats See in the Dark?
          • Careers with Dogs and Cats
          • Cat and Dog Adoption and Euthanasia Statistics
          • Cat Coat Colour Linked to Temperament
          • Cat Colour Gallery
          • Cat Myths Debunked
          • Cat Statistics
          • Cat Statistics: How Many Cats Are There?
          • Cat Years and People Years
          • Cats and Dogs Hurt by Recession
          • Debunking Anti-Cat Arguments
          • Declawed Cats More Likely to Be Surrendered to Shelters
          • Descriptive Terms for Cats
          • Do Cat People and Dog People Have Different Personalities?
          • Do Cats Dream?
          • Glossary of Cat Words
          • Health Benefits of Cat Ownership
          • How Do a Cat’s Senses of Smell and Taste Compare to Those of a Human?
          • How Fast Can a Cat Run?
          • How Long Cats Live
          • How Many Hours Do Cats Sleep Each Day?
          • How Powerful Is a Cat’s Hearing?
          • Hypoallergenic Cats
          • Impacts of Cats and Dogs on the Environment and Wildlife
          • Naturally Occurring Cat Breeds, Cross-Breeds, and Recent Mutations
          • Negative Cat Stereotypes Debunked
          • Neoteny – Why Adult Cats Retain Kitten Qualities
          • Polls Show Large Majority Against Declawing Cats; Majority Also Favours Anti-Declaw Laws
          • Reasons to Adopt an Adult Cat
          • Reasons Why Cats and Dogs Are Surrendered to Shelters
          • Study: Owning a Cat Cuts Heart Attack Risk by 30%
          • Tabby Cat Facts and Photos
          • The Social World of Feral Cats
          • Tortoiseshell Cats Are Nearly Always Female
          • Which Animals Hunt Cats?
          • Which Are More Intelligent – Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Are More Popular, Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Cat Breeds Are the Most Intelligent?
          • Which Make Better Pets – Cats or Dogs?
          • White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Why Are Female Cats Called Queens?
          • Why Are Male Cats Called Toms?
          • Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
          • Why Do Cats’ Eyes Glow in the Dark?
        • Cat Food and Nutrition
          • Can You Feed a Cat Dog Food? Can You Feed a Dog Cat Food?
          • Can You Feed Cats Tuna Made for Humans?
          • Cat Food Overview: Wet Food, Semi-Moist Food, Dry Food, and Raw Diets
          • Health Risks Associated with Vegan Diets for Cats
          • High-Carbohydrate Diets Are Bad for Cats
          • Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
          • How Much Food Does a Cat Need? How Much Should You Feed a Kitten?
          • How Often Should You Feed Kittens and Adult Cats?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Milk?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Raw Eggs?
          • Natural Diets for Cats, Home-Made Cat Food
          • Should You Feed a Cat Wet Food or Dry Food?
          • Vegan and Vegetarian Dogs and Cats
          • Veterinarian Statements on Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Cats
          • What to Feed a Kitten
          • What to Feed a Pregnant Cat
          • Why Cats Are Natural Carnivores
          • Why Cats Need a High-Protein Cat Food
          • Why Won’t My Cat Eat?
        • Cat Health
          • Abdominal Swelling/Bulging Stomach in Cats
          • Aggression as a Sign of Illness in Cats
          • Arthritis in Cats
          • Bobcat Fever (Cytauxzoonosis)
          • Can I Get Toxoplasmosis From My Cat? Do I Need to Give up My Cat if I Get Pregnant? Do Cat Parasites Really Affect Personality?
          • Cat and Dog Symptoms: Third Eyelid Showing
          • Cat Coughing, Dog Coughing: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Drooling: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Having Accidents Outside the Litter Box: Medical Causes
          • Cat Howling: Why Do Some Cats Howl, Especially at Night?
          • Cat Limping, Dog Limping
          • Cat Not Grooming/Dull Coat/Dry Skin in Cats
          • Cat Symptoms Overview
          • Cat with Blood in Stool: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Blood in the Urine: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Red Eye or Eyes
          • Cat with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Cats, Dog with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Dogs
          • Cat-Related Health and Safety Myths
          • Cats Reduce Risk of Kids Developing Asthma
          • Causes of Breathing Problems in Cats
          • Causes of Increased Appetite in Cats
          • Causes of Itching in Cats and Dogs
          • Causes of Weight Loss in Cats
          • Charities That Help with Vet Bills
          • Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) – Kidney Disease in Cats
          • Constipation in Cats
          • Dental Diets for Cats
          • Depression in Cats
          • Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Endocrine Diseases in Cats: Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Others
          • Essential Fatty Acid Supplements for Dogs and Cats
          • Eye Discharge/Runny Eyes in Cats and Dogs
          • Feline Calicivirus (FCV) in Cats
          • Feline Epilepsy: Cat Seizures/Convulsions
          • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
          • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Cat Herpes or Cat Flu)
          • Fever in Cats and Dogs: Causes and Treatments
          • FLUTD in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
          • Fundraising Ideas to Pay Large Vet Bills
          • Glucosamine-Chondroitin Supplements for Dogs and Cats with Arthritis
          • Heart Disease in Cats: Cardiomyopathy, Endocarditis, Myocarditis
          • Heartworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Holistic Cat and Dog Care
          • Hookworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Human Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis
          • Illnesses That People Can Catch from Cats
          • Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
          • Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
          • Is Catnip Addictive or Dangerous?
          • Loss of Appetite in Cats
          • Lungworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Poisoned Cat: Symptoms and Treatment
          • Required Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens
          • Ringworm in Dogs and Cats
          • Roundworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Signs of Pain in Cats
          • Skin Lumps and Bumps in Cats and Dogs
          • Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Cats and Dogs
          • Tapeworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Using Pumpkin to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Whipworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Why Cats Pull Out Their Fur: Psychogenic Alopecia in Cats
          • Why Cats Vomit
          • Why Does My Cat Drink So Much and Pee So Often? Causes of Increased Thirst and Urination in Cats
        • Cat History
          • Cat History: Cats in Ancient Egypt
          • Cat History: Cats in Warfare
          • Cat History: Famous Ship Cats
          • Cat History: From Wild Cats to Domestic Pets
          • Cat History: The Black Plague
          • Cat Superstitions, Myths, and Proverbs
          • Famous Cat Lovers
        • Cat Psychology, Behaviour, and Communication
          • Can Cats and Dogs Be Friends?
          • Do Cats Feel Love and Other “Human” Emotions?
          • Do Cats Have Psychic Abilities?
          • Do Cats Like Music?
          • Guide to Cat Communication: Vocalizations and Body Language
          • How Smart Are Cats?
          • The Flehmen Response: Why Cats “Grimace” with Their Mouths Open
          • What Causes Cats or Kittens to Eat Dirt, Kitty Litter, or Plastic, or Lick Photographs?
          • Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?
          • Why Cats Fight
          • Why Cats Purr: How Purring Speeds the Healing Process
          • Why Do Cats “Sulk”?
          • Why Do Cats and Dogs Eat Grass or Houseplants?
          • Why Do Cats Go Crazy for Catnip, Valerian, and Mint?
          • Why Do Cats Gravitate to People Who Fear or Dislike Them?
          • Why Do Cats Have Accidents Outside the Litter Box?
          • Why Do Cats Hiss?
          • Why Do Cats Knead or Paddle with Their Paws?
          • Why do cats love boxes?
          • Why Do Cats Make Chattering Sounds When They See Birds Through a Window?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Their Prey?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Water?
          • Why Do Cats Roll on Their Backs to Greet People?
          • Why Do Cats Rub Against Things?
          • Why Do Cats Scratch Things?
          • Why Do Cats Suddenly Make Mad Dashes Around the House?
          • Why Do Some Cats and Dogs Eat Soap?
          • Why Do Some Cats Attack When Being Petted?
          • Why Do Some Cats Become Anxious or Phobic?
          • Why Do Some Cats Like Shoes, Socks, Feet, Bleach, or Chlorine?
          • Why Do Some Cats Prefer Dirty Water to Fresh Tap Water?
          • Why Does My Cat Pee on the Bed or My Clothing?
          • Why Some Cats Suck on Fabric, Wool, or Hair
        • Cat Training
          • Can You Train a Cat Not to Hunt?
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Use a Scratch Post
          • How to Keep Cats off Counters and Furniture
          • How to Keep Cats out of Plants
          • How to Leash-Train a Cat
          • How to Litter Train a Kitten
          • How to Stop a Cat from Attacking a Dog
          • How to Stop Cats from Fighting
          • How to Train a Cat or Kitten
        • Famous Cats
          • Cat Called to Jury Duty
          • Cat Placed Under House Arrest
          • Cat Record Breakers
          • Cats That Have Adopted Animals of Other Species
          • Christopher the Guardian Angel Cat
          • Cloned Cats
          • Colby Nolan – The Cat with an MBA Degree
          • Famous Cats: Cats with Jobs
          • Famous Cats: Feline Entertainers
          • Famous Cats: Great Feline Achievements
          • Giant Cat Prince Chunk Finds Loving Home
          • Hero Cats
        • Foster Kitten Photo Diary
          • Adult Cats Acting as Foster Parents
          • Bif and Buddies
          • Casper and Cadence
          • Chilly and Lilly
          • Five New Furballs: Serenity, Quest, Sherpa, Coda, and Cayoosh
          • Foster Kittens: Farley and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: Jenga, Eclipse, Valhalla, and Callahan
          • Foster Kittens: Max, Zack, and Roxie
          • Foster Kittens: Sage Bounces Back
          • Foster Kittens: The Dynamic Duo
          • Foster Kittens: The Fab Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fantastic Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fluffasaurus Rex and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: The Great Kitten Storm of 2012
          • Foster Kittens: The Saga of the Little Savages
          • Foster Kittens: The Space Crew
          • Foster Kittens: The Tumultous Triad
          • Gizmo’s Gang
          • Sir Shady, the Earl of Grey, Princess Fluffington and the Countess Hissyfit
          • Tesla and Tyax
          • The Checkerboard Kittens: Picatso, Pablo, Catisse, and Catson
          • The Comeback Kittens
          • The Foster Fosters
          • The Friendly Five
          • The Greatcoat Kittens
          • The Hoarder House Kittens: Rowdy, Scrappy, Ally, and Cory
          • The Lake Kittens: Duffey, Alta, and Skaha
          • The Mini-Me Kittens
          • The Star Wars Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens: Golden, Raya, and Sola
        • Kitten Fight Club Gallery
        • Pet Product Reviews
          • 10 Pet Insurance Providers Ranked: Complete 2018 Comparison Guide
          • Reviews of Corn-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Paper-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Pine-Based Cat Litter
          • Reviews of Silica Crystal Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Wheat-Based Swheat Scoop Cat Litter
          • Save Money on Pet Supplies with Groupon Coupons
        • Pet Therapy
          • Animal-Assisted Therapy Providers
          • Pet Therapy Resources
          • Prison Cats
        • Pregnant Cats and Kittens
          • Answers to Frequently Asked Kitten Questions
          • At What Age Can Cats Start Having Kittens?
          • Can a Litter of Kittens Have More Than One Father?
          • How Can You Tell if a Cat Is in Heat?
          • How Long Does a Cat’s Pregnancy Last?
          • How Many Kittens Can Cats Have?
          • How Old Should Kittens Be When They’re Adopted Out?
          • How to Care for Cats During Pregnancy, Labour, and Birth
          • How to Care for Orphaned Kittens
          • How to Safely Remove Fleas from Kittens
          • How to Socialize a Kitten
          • Kitten Development and Care: Birth to 2 Weeks
          • Kitten Development and Care: Week 13 and Up
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 3 and 4
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 5 and 6
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 7-12
          • What Are the Signs of Pregnancy in Cats?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Colour?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Open?
          • Where to Adopt Kittens
          • Why Are Kittens Born with Blue Eyes?
          • Why Do Mother Cats Move Kittens?
          • Why Does a Male Cat Bite a Female’s Neck While Mating?
          • Will Handling Newborn Kittens Cause the Mother to Reject Them?
          • Will Tom Cats Kill Kittens?
        • The Cat Expressions Gallery
      • Dogs
        • 7 Great Ways to Care for Your Pet Dog
        • Amazing Dogs
          • Dogs Detect Cancer in People
          • Ginny – the Dog Who Rescued Cats
          • Seizure-Alert Dogs
          • Specially Trained Dogs Assist People with Parkinson’s Disease
        • Dog Care Articles
          • It Might Look Cute, But Being Overweight Is Hurting Your Dog
        • Dog Facts
          • Are Pit Bulls More Likely to Attack Than Dogs of Other Breeds?
          • Canine Aggression: What Causes Dogs to Attack?
          • Dog Breeds That Get Along with Cats
          • How Long Do Dogs Live?
          • How Old Is My Dog in Human Years?
          • The Effects of Pit Bull Bans: Does Breed-Specific Legislation Reduce Dog Attacks?
          • Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Attack?
        • Dog Health Articles
        • Dogs and Cats
        • Miscellaneous Dog Articles
      • Nutritional Health for Your Rabbit Friends
      • Predators of the Heart
      • Sharks
        • How to Reduce the Risk of Shark Attacks
        • Shark Finning Endangers Marine Ecosystems
        • Sharks Rarely Attack
    • Fitness
      • Can I do cardio and strength training on the same day? Should I do cardio or weights first?
      • Exercise Enhances Learning Ability
      • Fitness Resources
      • How Much Exercise Do People Need?
      • How Often Should I Change My Workout Routine?
      • How to Get Motivated to Start Running
      • Strength Training
        • Does Strength Training Cause Women to Bulk Up?
        • How Do I Get an Abdominal ‘Six-Pack’?
        • How Long Should a Strength Training Workout Be? And How Can You Tell if You’re Overtraining?
        • How to Start Strength Training
        • Sports and Bodybuilding Supplements
        • Strength Training for Weight Loss
        • Strength Training Health Benefits
        • Strength Training: Can I train successfully on a vegetarian or vegan diet?
        • Strength Training: Do I need to go to the gym, or can I get good results working out at home?
        • Strength Training: How can I get really big (without steroids)?
        • Strength Training: How Long Should I Rest Between Sets?
        • Strength Training: How Many Days a Week?
        • Strength Training: How Many Repetitions?
        • Strength Training: How Many Sets?
        • Strength Training: How should I warm up and cool down? And should I stretch before and after workouts?
        • Strength Training: Should I Do a Full-Body Workout or a Split Routine?
        • Strength Training: Should I Use Free Weights or Machines?
        • Strength Training: What should I eat before and after my workout?
      • Stretching Techniques
        • Basic Stretching Techniques
        • PNF Stretching
        • Risky Stretches That May Cause Injuries
        • Stretching for Sports and Flexibility
      • Weight Loss
        • How to Reduce Fat in Your Diet
        • Probiotics for Weight Loss
        • Why Most Dieters Fail
    • Food and Nutrition
      • Antibiotics in Food and Farming
      • Coffee
        • Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health?
        • The Health Benefits of Coffee
      • Cooking Tips
        • 10 Tips for Healthier Baking with Whole Foods
        • Cooking and Baking Ingredient Substitutions
          • Baking Substitutes: Dairy Products
          • Baking Substitutes: Eggs and Mayonnaise
          • Broths, Juices, Alcoholic Beverages, Sauces, and Condiments
          • Cooking and Baking Substitutions: Herbs and Spices (Including Onion and Garlic)
          • Fat Substitutions: Low-Fat and Vegan Options
          • Raising Agent Substitutions
          • Substitutes for Flours, Other Grains, and Bread Products (Including Gluten-Free Options)
          • Substitutions for Chocolate, Raisins, and Peanut Butter
          • Types of Sugar, Liquid Sweeteners, Natural Sugar Substitutes, and Low-Calorie Sugar Alternatives
            • Liquid Sweeteners / Sugar Substitutes
            • Low-Calorie and Calorie-Free Sugar Substitutes
            • Types of Sugar and Sugar Substitutions
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Garlic
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Onions
        • Low-Fat and Fat-Free Baking Substitutes
        • Meat Safety
        • Slow Cooker Cooking Tips
        • Slow Cooker Safety Tips
        • Tips for Baking Bread with Whole Wheat Flour and Other Whole Grains
      • Food Facts
        • An Apple a Day: The Health Benefits of Apples
        • Anti-inflammatory Foods
        • Aphrodisiac Foods
        • Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight Gain and Health Problems
        • Battery Cage Chickens
        • Best Natural Sources of Calcium
        • Chocolate’s Health Benefits
        • Egg Labels: Free-Range, Organic, and Omega-3
        • Food and Beverage Caffeine Contents
        • Health Benefits of Tomatoes and Other Lycopene-Rich Foods
        • How Long Baked Goods, Dry Ingredients, Canned Goods, Condiments, Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Eggs, and Dairy Products Keep
        • How much protein do I need? Will eating too much protein make me fat?
        • How to Store Fruits and Vegetables
        • How to Tell if an Egg Is Bad (Do Bad Eggs Really Float?)
        • Leafy Green Vegetables Protect Against Osteoporosis
        • Natural Food Sources of Probiotics
        • Nutrition Guidelines for Fitness: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats
        • Nutrition: Free Range vs. Battery Cage Eggs
        • The Best Antioxidant Foods
        • Whole Grains for Health
      • Herbs and Spices
        • Basil Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Black Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cardamom Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Chili Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cinnamon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cloves: Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cumin Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Dill Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Fenugreek Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Ginger Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Mustard Seed Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Nutmeg Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Oregano Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Parsley Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Peppermint Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Rosemary Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Sage Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Tarragon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Thyme Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Turmeric Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
      • Recipes
        • Cheddar and Chive Cornbread
        • Fast, Easy, Delicious Custard Pie
        • Free Gingerbread House Templates and Recipes
        • Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
        • Herb Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Honey-Sweetened Berry Pie Recipe
        • Honey-Sweetened Challah Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Pumpkin Muffin Recipes
        • Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
      • Supplements
        • How Much Vitamin C Should You Take?
        • Should You Take a Probiotic Supplement? Probiotic Health Benefits
        • Vitamin D Facts and Natural Sources
        • Vitamin E Facts
        • Zinc Facts
      • Tea and Health
        • Green Tea Aids Weight Loss
        • Health Benefits of Caffeinated Tea
        • How to Increase Tea’s Health Benefits
    • Gardening
      • 10 Ways to Create a More Environmentally Friendly Garden
      • All About Basil: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Basil
      • All About Chives: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Chives, Storing Chives, and Cooking with Chives
      • All About Mint: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Mint
      • All About Sage: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Sage, Storing Sage, and Cooking with Sage
      • Beets: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Beets, Storing Beets, and Cooking with Beets
      • Carrots: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking
      • Causes of Cracking in Tomatoes
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Beets: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Beets, Storing Beets, and Cooking with Beets

Beets

Beets, Image Courtesy of Rosemary Ratcliff, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Beets are relatively easy to grow if you provide the right conditions. There are many different varieties to try, available in a broad range of shapes and colours, from slender carrot-like cylinders to the better known rounded globes, and from deep reds to golden yellows to pink swirls. Beet varieties include:

  • Chioggia, which has pretty coloured rings throughout
  • Burpees Golden, which are especially sweet
  • Bull’s Blood, which produces deep red leaves that are great in salad mixes
  • Scarlet Supreme and Early Wonder, which mature quickly (50 days) and produce sweet, tender roots with bright green tops
  • Detroit Dark Red, a standard heirloom beet that is very popular with home gardeners due to its good flavour and ability to stay edible longer in storage
  • Winterkeeper/Lutz, which produces unusually large beets (up to 6 inches in diameter)
  • Boltardy, a bolt-resistant variety (which means that it is less likely to produce flowers early and become inedible)
  • Forona, a tender, cylindrical variety that does well in containers

What are the health benefits of beets?

Both beetroots and leaves are edible and highly nutritious. Beets are a source of folate, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B6. They also contain phytonutrients called betalains, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so eating beets may help to protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases.

When can I plant beets?

Beets will germinate at temperatures ranging from 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit/4-27 Celsius. They’ll sprout more quickly at the higher end of the temperature range, but once they’re underway, they grow best during cooler spring and fall temperatures.

If you’re starting your beets indoors, begin your spring crop 3-5 weeks before the last frost date and transplant the seedlings outside on the last frost date. If you’re sowing beets directly outdoors, plant 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. For a fall crop, direct sow 6-10 weeks before the first anticipated frost date. If your climate is mild, you can continue harvesting beets into the winter.

In milder climates, you can start sowing beets in March, though providing some cold protection, such as a polytunnel or mini hoop tunnel, is recommended. For fall crops, adding mulch and/or a polytunnel or mini hoop tunnel just before the first hard frost can help to extend the harvest.

Succession sow every 2-4 weeks if you’d like a continuous supply of tender young beets.

Note: Starting beets indoors doesn’t provide much of an advantage. They don’t like being transplanted, so their growth may slow down for a bit afterwards. Also, transplanting creates a risk of vernalization, which means that large temperature shifts trick the plants into thinking they’ve gone through a year of seasons and are in their second year of growth, which causes them to bolt early (produce flowers and seeds). Once beet plants have bolted, they won’t produce usable roots. If you want to start your beet plants indoors, grow them in individual cell packs or soil blocks to minimize root disturbance when transplanting, and don’t put them out until temperatures have warmed up to reduce the risk of vernalization. You’ll also need to harden the seedlings off before transplanting, which means putting them outdoors for 2 hours on day 1, a hour or two longer on day 2, and so on until they adapt sufficiently to move to their permanent home.

How long will beet seeds take to sprout?

Germination can take days or weeks, depending on the temperature. In the ideal germination range of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit/21-27 Celsius, they will sprout in around 5 days, whereas in temperatures as low as 40 Fahrenheit/4 Celsius, they may take up to a month and a half, if they germinate at all.

How far apart should I space beet seeds?

Plant beet seeds 1.5-2 inches apart, and then thin to 3 inches for small roots, 4 inches for regular-sized roots, and 5 inches if you’d like large roots or your soil is poor quality. You can grow approximately 12 beets per square foot, or 12 in a 16-inch container.

Thinning beets to the appropriate spacing is very important. If you don’t do this, you’ll end up with stunted, underdeveloped roots and your plants will be at risk for disease.

You can eat beet thinnings in salads.

What type of soil do beets need?

Beets grow best in loose, sandy soils that are well-drained and very fertile. When preparing the soil, remove rocks and other debris that could cause beetroots to fork and dig a few inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil. If you use manure rather than compost, add it in the fall so that it’s well-aged at planting time, because fresh manure will also cause beet roots to fork. If your soil is nutrient-poor, mix in a complete fertilizer before planting as well.

Can I grow beets in a container?

Yes, if the soil is sufficiently nutrient-rich and you water regularly (container soil dries out faster than soil in the ground). You’ll need a container depth of at least 6 inches for round beets (and preferably more); some sources recommend a minimum depth of 12 inches. If you’re growing cylindrical beet varieties, you’ll need even deeper containers. The container should also be wide enough that you can thin beets to at least 4-inch spacing.

Can I grow beets in the shade?

Beets do best in full sun, particularly fall and winter crops. However, if you live in a hot climate, your beet plants should do well in light shade (only a few hours of sun per day, with shade during the hottest part of the day, or dappled sun, in which tree branches cause alternating small patches of sun and shade).

What ongoing care do beets need?

Beet seeds are actually seed clusters, so you’ll probably get several plants per seed. Use scissors or pinch out all but the strongest seedling in each cluster once the seedlings are 2-4 inches tall. Don’t pull them out, as you’ll damage the roots of the remaining seedlings.

Weed regularly, as beets don’t compete well with weeds. It’s best to do this by hand because the shoulders and shallow roots of beets can be damaged easily by tools.

Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Beets grown in very soggy soil tend to focus more on leaf production than root production. On the other hand, beets grown in dry soil can develop tough, woody roots, and they may crack or bolt early (put their energy into flower and seed production rather than root growth).

Once temperatures have reached around 60 degrees Fahrenheit/16 Celsius, apply a mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool.

Should I fertilize my beet plants?

Beets require plenty of nourishment, but it’s important to get the balance right. Too much nitrogen will cause beet plants to focus on leaf growth at the expense of root growth. Like other root crops, they do best with some added potassium and phosphorus. You can add a kelp fertilizer every few weeks or ask for fertilizer recommendations from a local garden center, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Boron is also an important nutrient for beets, as lack of boron can cause them to have poor flavour or develop corky, black areas. I’ve never experienced this problem, but for beet growers who suspect that their soil is deficient in boron, the North Carolina and AT&T State University Cooperative Extension recommends adding “One half oz Borax per 100 square feet…in the initial fertilizer application.”

How long do beets take to grow?

Days to harvest can be quite variable with beets, ranging from around 50 to 100, depending on the variety, though most will mature in 50-70 days.

When can I harvest beets?

You can harvest beets whenever the roots are large enough to be worth using, typically after around 50-60 days of growth, when they reach 1-2 inches in diameter. If you harvest beets while they’re still young, they’ll be more tender, but less sweet. More mature beets are sweeter, but more fibrous, and overly mature roots are tough and woody.

Be careful not to damage the roots when harvesting. If you break the outer skin, they’ll decay quickly.

If you’re harvesting for salad greens rather than roots, it’s better to pick them while the greens are still young and tender, before the roots have matured. Or, for the best of both, take a few leaves from the outside of each cluster before the roots mature, leaving the center leaves intact so that your beetroots will continue growing to maturity.

Why didn’t my beet plants produce large roots?

There are a number of reasons why beet plants won’t produce good roots. If you don’t thin your plants to the appropriate spacing or weed the area regularly, too much competition will prevent root development, and high temperatures (above 75 Fahrenheit/24 Celsius) can cause roots to be small, tough, and bitter. Nutrient-poor soil can also lead to underdeveloped roots. The wrong nutrient balance can cause this problem as well, because too much nitrogen encourages the plants to produce big leaves rather than focusing on root development.

Why did my beets crack or split?

The most common cause of cracking is inconsistent watering. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent this problem. Beet shoulders may also crack when they rise above the soil and are exposed to the elements. Piling soil up around the shoulders or mulching reduces the risk that beet shoulders will crack or become woody.

Forking is not actually a split, but rather, the bottom of the beetroot growing into two or more separate sections (typically, the root looks like a pair of legs). This usually occurs when the plant’s growth is blocked by a rock or other obstacle, but fresh manure and careless transplanting can also cause this problem.

How do I deal with pests on beets?

Beets aren’t usually bothered too much by pests. Aphids may attack the leaves, but they can be sprayed off with a blast from the hose. If other pests such as caterpillars, flea beetles, or leaf miners are eating your beet leaves, you can protect the plants with row covers.

Rabbits also like to eat beet greens. If rabbits are attacking your beets, you may need to put up a fence.

Why are there spots on my beet leaves?

Cercospora beticola is a fungal disease that attacks plants such as beet, chard, and spinach. The spots are round with tan or off-white centers and dark red borders, and the roots of heavily infected plants are stunted. The problem can usually be prevented by rotating crops each year, thinning and weeding sufficiently to allow for good air circulation, and growing the plants in fertile soil, as poor nutrition and high humidity can aggravate the problem.

Beet

Beet Ready for Storage, Image Courtesy of Stock Photo, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How do I store beets, and how long will they keep?

Cut the leaves off an inch or two above the crown of the beet. Leave the roots intact and brush off the soil, but don’t wash beets until you’re ready to use them.

You can store beets in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few weeks, though with tender, young roots, it’s best to eat them as soon as possible after harvesting. Beet greens can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for 3-5 days, but are also best eaten soon after harvesting.

For longer storage, you can put beetroots in a box full of clean sawdust, peat moss, or damp sand in a cool cellar, unheated basement, shed, or garage where temperatures range from 32-40 Fahrenheit/0-4 Celsius. Don’t pack them in too tightly; store them in layers to allow for air circulation. In the right conditions, they will keep for a few months.

For even longer storage, you can freeze beets. Cook them until tender, peel them, cut them into cubes or slices, add the pieces to a freezer bag or airtight container, and store for 12-18 months in the freezer.

Unless you live in a very cold climate, you can also leave beets in the ground over the winter and pull them up as needed. They’ll continue to grow slowly in mild climates, but stop growing altogether in cooler climates. If it’s cold enough for the ground to freeze, add a thick mulch to prevent freezing. Additional cold protection, such as a mini hoop tunnel or polytunnel, can also be used to prevent freezing.

How do I save beet seeds?

Beets produce seeds in their second year of growth, so in mild climates, just leave your beet plants in the ground with some protective mulch throughout the winter. Colder climates may kill beets over the winter, so if you live in a cold place, you may need to harvest the roots, store them in an unheated basement, shed, cellar, or garage in a box filled with damp, clean sand, and replant the best ones outdoors in the spring.

Beets will cross-pollinate with other beet varieties, and with chard and spinach, so these plants need to be isolated from one another by at least 1/2 a mile/800 meters if they’ll be flowering at the same time.

Gather seeds from more than one beet plant to preserve genetic diversity. Recommendations for the minimum number of plants range from 5-20+.

When most of the glomerules (clusters of seeds) have formed and turned brown, cut the stalks and strip off the glomerules by hand (wear gloves to do this). You can store the stalks indoors to let the last few seed clusters ripen and dry out so that you can collect them as well. Use a sieve or screen to remove debris and dust from the glomerules and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

If stored properly, beet seeds should keep for 4-6 years.

Should I peel beets?

You don’t actually need to peel beets, so this is down to personal preference. Some people just wash their beets before preparing, whereas others like to peel them. If you want to peel your beets, it’s much easier to do this after cooking them as well. If you prefer to skip peeling to save time, keep in mind that skins are more tender on baby beets than full-sized beets.

How do I prepare beets?

Beets are often eaten raw in salads (typically grated or sliced very thin) or cooked with various herbs and spices as side dishes. They can be added to soups, roasted, or pickled, and beet leaves can be steamed or added raw to salads as well.

See Chowhound for a basic roasted beets recipe with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

You can find great beet recipes for main courses, side dishes, appetizers, snacks, drinks, and desserts on the Food Network’s 25 Recipes You Simply Can’t Beet and Eating Well’s Our Best Beet Recipes.

For more vegetable and herb gardening articles, see the main Gardening page. For food articles and recipes, see the main Food and Nutrition page.



References:

  • Edwards Forkner, L. (2012). The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
  • Halsall, L. (2012). Small Plot Big Harvest: A Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Fruits & Vegetables in Small Spaces. New York, NY: DK Publishing Special Markets.
  • Herriot, C. (2010). The Zero-Mile Diet: A year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
  • Jabbour, N. (2012). The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
  • McGee, R. M. N., & Stuckey, M. (2002). McGee and Stuckey’s the Bountiful Container. New York, NY: Workman Publishing.
  • Pleasant, B. (2012). All About Growing Beets. Mother Earth News.
  • The George Mateljan Foundation. (2015). Beets. The World’s Healthiest Foods.
  • StillTasty.com. (2016). Food Storage – How Long Can You Keep Beets – Fresh, Raw.
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