Beet Tops for Lunch

My beets were supposed to be pulled yesterday but I know they didn't turn out well. I lost five of the nine and the other four have nice tops but the root were smaller than my radishes. I ate the tops of one at lunch time just to see how they taste and they were so sweet. I think my problem was that I planted them late and didn't water them enough to grow a nice bulb for the root. I think when I plant them for the fall, I will mulch and also try and amend the soil with some boron. I have read that beets like that micronutrient.