Types of beet plants: Discover the different varieties of beets
If you live in a cool climate, growing beets is the ideal garden project for you. Not only do they tolerate cooler temperatures, but these little beauties are almost entirely edible. The vegetables are excellent in salads and the roots can be steamed, roasted or marinated. There are many varieties of beets, so just decide what kind of beet plants you want to grow.
How to grow different types of beets
Table beets are also known as garden beets, blood turnips or red beets. Beet tops are extremely rich in vitamin A, while beet root is a good source of vitamin C. These cool climate vegetables are fairly easy to grow. Most types of beets are heat tolerant, but they grow at temperatures between 15 and 18 °C in full sunlight and can withstand cold temperatures at the edge of frost. They can be planted 30 days before the frost-free date in your area.
Grow beets in loose, well-drained, raked soil that is free of stones and other debris that can interfere with root development. If you have a very clayey soil, amend it with organic matter. Make sure your soil has a pH of 6.2 to 6.8, as beets are sensitive to acidity.
Plant beet seeds ½ cm deep, spaced at a
cm separation with 12-18 cm between rows. Thin out the seedlings at a distance of 1-3 cm.
Common varieties of beets
As mentioned earlier, there are different varieties of beets, each with unique properties. Most are grown for the beet root itself, which comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and shades, although some types, such as Sangre de toro, are grown primarily for greens. Some beet varieties are grown for their ability to be stored for long periods of time.
The amateur gardener has at his disposal a number of open-pollinated beets. The Egyptian Crosbys is another excellent variety that is grown not only for its uniformly sweet red root, but also for its tender and tasty green vegetables. Some of the earliest heritage varieties include
- Detroit Dark Red (maturation in 58 days)
- Wonderful start (52 days)
- Sangria (56 days)
- Honey (58 days)
Ruby Queen matures in 60 days and is very tender, sweet with uniform roots, while Lutz Green Leaf is ready in 70 days and is purplish red with big tasty green tips and is grown as a kind of winter beet.
Among the hybrid varieties of beets , we find
- Avenger, which is good for green and red balloon roots
- The Big Red matures in 55 days and is one of the best late season producers.
- Gladiator ripens quickly in just 48 days and is excellent for canning.
- The pacemaker is ready after 50 days with excellent roots.
- Red Ace matures in 53 days with soft roots and vigorous growth.
- Warrior takes 57 days and has uniform balloon-shaped roots that grow quickly and turn green with a red tint.
There are also miniature varieties of beets such as the Little Ball (50 days) and the Little Mini Ball (54 days), whose roots are only the size of a silver dollar and are therefore extremely tender.
There are also some special varieties of beets that are grown for specific characteristics.
- Cylindria (60 days) is cultivated for its elongated, cylindrical shape that gives rise to slices of equal size.
- Touchstone Gold is a new variety with small yellow roots that retain their color once cooked.
- Green Top Bunching (65 days) has bright red roots with top caps for greens
- Golden (55 days) has a beautiful buttery yellow color and a sweet and mild taste
- Di Chioggia (50 days) is an Italian relic known for its red and white striped interior, its sweet and sweet flavor and its early maturation.
Whatever type of beet you decide to grow, most beets can be stored for several weeks, either in a bag in the refrigerator, in a root cellar, or in an outdoor pit dug in the ground before being frozen. Beets should preferably be stored at 0°C with a humidity level of 95%.
