Beetroot - Detroit Dark Seeds, OSC

Detroit Dark Red Beet. Heirloom vegetable. This 1892 introduction is the standard bearer of the beet family! Dark red, globe-shaped roots have a smooth crown and small taproot. The quick maturity, sweet slightly earthy taste, uniform shape, and consistent interior colour make this variety the perfect candidate for canning or freezing. Very low in geosmin, the naturally occurring compound in beets responsible for their "earthy" flavour.

Attributes

Light Requirement: Full Sun
Planting Method: Direct Seed
Growth Habit: Root Crop
Days to Emergence: 8 - 10
Days to Harvest 63
Height: 20 - 30cm (8 - 12in)

How to Grow

Beets thrive in sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Remember to fertilize. For continual harvest, sow seeds 1.2cm (1/2in) deep and 2.5cm (1in) apart in two week intervals beginning when the soil has warmed to 7 C and avoid sowing after mid July. As each beet "seed" is actually a corky fruit with 2 to 5 seeds contained within, it is important to thin the young seedlings to 7-10cm (3-4in) apart to provide enough room for proper root formation. Use plants that are thinned as a source of tender, edible greens. Over-watering or excessive rainfall may lead to excessive leaf growth and pale or small roots.