Known for its popularity, the Detroit Dark Red Seeds provide a deliciously earthy taste and striking hue.
Detroit Dark Red is the perfect all-purpose beet variety. This medium-early variety produces round, dark red roots. These beets are very enjoyable, growing tender and fine-grained throughout. Ideal for use fresh, canned, pickled and frozen. Tops are great for salads too!
SKU: 142169
Common Name: Beet
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris
Growing Information
Grows Best In:
Full Sun
Days to Germination:
10 - 12 days
Water Needs:
Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Days to Maturity:
50 - 60 days
Key Features
Plant Type: Vegetable
Plant Lifecycle: Annual
Fill Weight (grams): 11
Approximate Seed Count: 550-575
Characteristics: Uniform shape | Slow to bolt | Preserving variety | High yielder | Long keeper
Companion Planting: Plant near brassicas, bush beans, cabbage, garlic, lettuce, onions, or kohlrabi but away from pole beans. Onions protect beets against borers and cutworms.
Beets are a cool season crop and seeds can be sown directly in the garden in early Spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Optimum soil temperature (not air temperature) should be 10-29°C (50-84°F) for seeds to germinate. Planting at a lower temperature will delay germination. Space seeds and plant to the depth indicated below. Press seeds into the soil to ensure good contact and cover with 1.3 cm (1/2") of soil. After planting, water the seeds with a gentle mist or shower. It is critical to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy during germination. When your seedlings reach a height of a few centimetres (inches) and have developed 2 or 3 pairs of leaves, it is important to thin them out, according to the plant spacing indicated below. Do not allow the soil to become dry, as young plants have underdeveloped roots and can quickly dehydrate, particularly in windy conditions.
Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.
Planting Depth: 1.3 cm (1/2")
Seed Spacing: Sow beets seeds roughly 2.5 cm (1") apart in rows, keeping rows approximately 30 cm (12") apart.
Plant Spacing: 8 cm (3")
Instructions for Nutrient Care:
Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.
Suggestions
Growing Suggestions:
Seeds not germinating? Beet seeds usually won’t germinate if the soil is too hot.
Beets grow quickly and more seeds can be succession planted every 2 to 3 weeks until mid July for a continuous supply of beets.
You can begin harvesting beets at any time. Tiny beets can be eaten as microgreens. Golf ball-sized beets are more tender, or full-size beets are great for turning into pickled beets
To prevent beet bleeding, it is best to remove the skin after cooking.
The skin on beets is easiest removed after beets are roasted, steamed or boiled. Once cool enough to handle, the skin is easily removed with a paper towel.