55 days. Detroit Dark Red beet seeds. Beta vulgaris. Annual. Non-GMO. Since the turn of the century, Detroit Dark Red has been the preferred choice for homegrown classic American beets. Introduced in 1892 by Detroit's world famous D.M. Ferry Seed Company, the American red beet eventually adopted the moniker "Detroit" since it became known that the best beets hailed from the "Motor City". The 2-3" globe-shaped roots are tender and sweet. A dual-purpose vegetable, the deep green tops can be cooked like swiss chard. ~1,250 seeds/oz.
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Growing Non-GMO Detroit Dark Red Beet Vegetable Seeds
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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.
Non-GMO Detroit Dark Red Beet Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Approximately 125 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 100,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 500,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Detroit Dark Red beet seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on orders over $75.
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