Growing Non-GMO Detroit Dark Red Beet Vegetable Seeds
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Latin Name: Beta vulgaris
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Hardiness Zone: Annual 2-11 (Biennial 6-11)
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Days to Maturity: 55-60
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Days to Germination: 5-14
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Seeding Depth: 1/2 Inches
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Plant Spacing: 3-4 Inches
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Row Spacing: 12 Inches
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Plant Height: 8-12 Inches
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Growth Habit: Rooted and leafy upright
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Soil Preference: Loose, sandy, loamy, well-drained
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Temperature Preference: 55-70 °F
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Light Preference: Full sun - partial shade
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Pests and Disease: Monitor for aphids and leafhoppers which may lead to any number of yellowing and leaf-spotting diseases.
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Detroit Dark Red Color: Deep burgundy flesh and juice
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Detroit Dark Red Flavor: Sweet and classic beet flavor
How to Grow Detroit Dark Red Beets from Seed
Beet is a cool weather favorite best sown directly outdoors 4-5 weeks prior to final spring frost or 4-5 weeks before the first autumn frost. Sow 3-4 seeds 1/2" deep and 1-2" apart in fertile, Organically rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Seeds germinate in 5-10 days, thinning best starts to every 3-4" as true leaves establish. Beet seeds may be pre-soaked for 24 hours to encourage germination. Beets can be sown every 2-3 weeks for replete season-long harvests. Avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen causing plants to produce plentiful vegetation, but smaller roots. A top layer of mulch will help roots cool and retain moisture.
Detroit Dark Red Beets in the Vegetable Garden
Also known as beetroot and blood turnip, these beets are uniform in shape and flavor. They are known to grow in chilly Spring weather and are mostly problem free but sometimes get aphids or flea beetle. Control with insecticidal soap, pyrethrums, and good garden sanitation. Can be bottled or pickled. Perfect for canning. Cut up, blanche, and freeze in freezer bags. Pick leaves before any sign of wilt for tasty greens.
Harvesting Detroit Dark Red Beets
Most varieties of beet are ready to harvest in about 50-60 days from sowing or when showing 1" in diameter above soil, but will remain tender even up to 3-4" in diameter. In compacted soils, carefully loosen soil around roots before harvesting with help of a gardening fork. Beet greens can be harvested like lettuce or any culinary herb when 2-3" tall. Small tender greens can be enjoyed fresh in a salad mix while larger, coarser greens taste best when lightly sauteed.
About Detroit Dark Red Beet Garden Seeds
Detroit Dark Red beet is an old time heirloom favorite dating back to 1892. Gardeners today still contend this is their favorite variety for a dependable root harvest. Detroit Dark Red produced 3" round beets perfect for canning or table use. This beet has a truly sweet flavor with a fine grade texture that will surely please most palates.
Detroit Dark Red tops are a great spinach substitute in salads, although we prefer other varieties for their tops. This beet is the star performer for its wonderful root. Detroit Dark Red is cold hardy, and seeds can germinate and grow in soil temperatures as low as 40 degrees.
1936 James Seed Catalog says...
"An excellent strain of this all-purpose Beet which will suit the most critical gardener. The roots are smooth and almost true globe shape, with small tops. The flesh is dark red, tender and sweet. Not as early as Egyptian, but stands hot weather better and is a better keeper. Plant in mellow ground from earliest Spring until late in June, thin to about 3 inches and at all times keep soil well cultivated."
Detroit Dark Red makes an excellent canning variety. For pickling, Detroit Dark Red is hard to beat as well.
A rich source of Iron, Calcium, and Vitamins: A, B1, B2, C, and Niacin. Heat and cold tolerant.
Detroit Dark Red beet has long been touted as a long keeper in root cellars. It is mentioned in Mike & Nancy Bubel's book on Root Cellaring as having an outstanding storage life.
