Botanical Interests, Inc. - Gourmet Blend Beet

Join the beet fan club! Aside from the health benefits, which include significant amounts of fiber, potassium, folic acid, and vitamin C, beets come in many colors. 'Gourmet Blend' includes 'Detroit Dark Red' with deep red roots and delicious dark green tops, 'Chioggia' with interior rings of bright pink and white, and 'Golden' with bright yellow flesh.

Days to Maturity: 65 days

Family: Amaranthaceae

Type: Beet

Native: Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean region

Hardiness: Frost-tolerant biennial grown as an annual

Exposure: Full sun

Plant Dimensions: Leaf tops up to 18" tall

Variety Info: 1"–3" red, orange, or pink/red roots; green leafy tops. This packet contains three varieties. 'DETROIT DARK RED': 2"½–3" blood red, globe shaped. Leaves are dark green on red stems. 'CHIOGGIA': 1"–3" pinkish/red roots with interior rings of bright pink and white; green leaf tops. 'GOLDEN': 1"–3" orange roots with bright yellow interior; green leaf tops.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 45°F, ideally 60°-85°F, for early summer crop. 6 to 8 weeks before your average first fall frost date for late summer/fall crop. Mild Climates: Sow fall through winter.

When to Start Inside: Not recommended. Root disturbance delays maturity.

Days to Emerge: 5 – 21 days

Seed Depth: ½"

Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 4"

Row Spacing: 12"

Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 4"

Harvesting: For early spring sowings, harvest beets before summer heat. For late summer sowings, harvest before first heavy freeze. For winter sowings in mild climates, harvest in early spring. Harvest when roots are anywhere from 1"-3" in diameter. The smaller they are, the more tender. Greens are most tender when small, so start harvesting when they are 2" tall. You can take as much as one third of a beet plant's outer leaves without harming the root crop.