Name: Chioggia Beet Seeds
SKU: 265972

Chioggia beet is a classic variety that has been grown and sold throughout the Mediterranean since the 1840s. The flesh of this unusual Italian heirloom has red-and-white alternating rings with brilliant red skin. The green tops are delicious, both raw and cooked.

- Latin Name: Beta Vulgaris

- Days to Maturity: 55-60

- Life Cycle: Biennial, usually grown as an annual

- Canada Hardiness Zone: 8-9

- Start Indoors or Cold Frame: 5-6 weeks before heavy frosts become infrequent

- Planting Depth: 1.5 cm

- Days to Germination: 5-15

- Germination Optimal Soil Temperature: 25-30°C

- Seedlings Optminal Daytime Temperature: 15-20°C

( Cool temperatures without acute weather fluctuations produce the best flesh colour)

- Days from transplanting to mature crop: 35-45

- Transplant Seedlings: 8-10 cm apart

- Direct Sowing: When the soil has warmed to 5°C

- Seed Spacing: 15 seeds every 30 cm

- Thinning Seedlings: Progressively until 10 cm apart

- Row Spacing: 30-45 cm

- Harvest: Fork when showing 3 cm in diameter above the soil. Will remain tender even at 8-10 cm in diameter. Harvest greens when 5-8 cm tall.

- Winter Storage: Sow about 10 weeks before heavy frosts. Cut tops, wash, and store for up to 6 months at 0°C and 95% humidity.

- Average Seeds Needed Per 10 m Row: 500

- Average Yield Per 10 m Row: 15 lb. greens, 25 lb. roots.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Beets are an essential cool weather root crop. They are highly valued for their nutritional content and versatility, as both the roots and leaves can be prepared in a variety of ways. Another reason this vegetable is prized is its ability to produce multiple harvests per season.

Seeds should be planted outdoors 3-5 weeks before the last frost date. Once soil can be worked and the temperature is at least 10°C, it’s safe to start seeds outside. Seeds can be soaked overnight before planting. This will speed up the germination process.

Soil should be well drained and kept moist. Plant seeds 2 cm deep and 5-8 cm apart. When greens reach 5-8 cm in height, thin them to 8 cm apart. These young plants plucked from the garden shouldn’t be wasted. They can be eaten right away, tender and delicious! Allow enough space between rows, about 60 cm.

Water slowly and deeply, allowing the roots to soak up and retain moisture, about 2 cm of water/week is required. Beets will respond well to being mulched after they are established. A good deal of sun is important for the plant to reach maturity in a short time.

Time to harvest ranges from 45-60 days, depending on the variety. If left in the earth for too long, beets can become woody and tough. So don’t wait, harvest when roots are exposed above the soil and about 5-8 cm in diameter. Mind the greens as well, they will become bitter when they reach a height over 15 cm. When harvesting, grab the spot where the greens meet the root firmly. Wiggle it little by little and pull straight up until it is freed from the soil.

Beets thrive both as a spring and fall crop. Take advantage of its quick growing season and, for good health, grow bundles of beets every year!

QUICK FACTS

- Beets were first domesticated in ancient Egypt, primarily for their greens. By the Roman era, it was thought that they were cultivated for their roots as well.

- Beets are a favorite cool-weather crop and are extremely easy to grow in a wide variety of soils.

- Beet seeds will remain viable for 4 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.