Beet - Chioggia

Beet – Chioggia

$4.50

This pre-1840 Italian heirloom beet named after a fishing town in Italy arrived in North America prior to 1865. The roots, about 5 cm (2″) in diameter, have light red skin and beautiful rings inside, like red and white candy stripes. The flesh is very tender, mild and sweet. Green leaves, which grow 25 cm (10″) tall, are a delicious spinach substitute.  Apparently, the red rings in the cross section of these beets form in time with the lunar calendar. How do they figure these things out?

Available only as seed. 1g +/-50 seeds per packet.
Shipping Options Available
Local Pickup yes
Specialty Items yes
Canada Post yes

This item is a SEED
SKU: bc3e6f37f1a4 Categories: , ,

Description

Botanical name
Beta Vulgaris

Family
Amaranthaceae

Spacing
9 per square foot in 3 rows of 3

Depth
Plant seeds 1 cm (½”) deep.

Requirements
Does best in full sun, but can handle a bit of shade. pH 6-6.5.

Germination
Seeds will sprout in 5-12 days.

Pests
Beets are not affected by many pests. Slugs may discolour leaves. Circular lesions with a purple halo on the leaf is cercospera leaf spot. Prevent by keeping your garden free of debris.

Timing
Direct sow starting in mid-April. Cool-weather crop. Best soil temperature is 10-15°C (50-59°F) . Soak seeds for 12 hours to help speed up germination. Transplanting is not recommended since the tap root is easily disturbed and damaged.

Growing
Seeds are actually a fruit containing 3 or 4 seeds, so when seedlings are around 3 cm (1½”) tall, you must choose the strongest one as they cannot grow so closely together. Cut away the others with scissors or fingernails to avoid disturbing the root of the remaining seedling.

Harvest
60

Season
Cool, annual

Links
Beet Carpaccio
How to harvest carrots and beets

 

Related products