Matures in 60 days.
Planting companions: Beans, strawberries, cucumbers, onions, members of the cabbage family, ...
Unsuitable companions: Tomato, leek, carrot, potato,
This remarkable beet has alternating red and white rings. Cook it whole to preserve its unique colors. Only cut it after it is cooked. Its root is sweet and will be better if consumed when small. The leaves and stems are equally tasty and can be consumed after 40 days. One-third of the foliage can be harvested without damaging the plant.
Directly sow beet seeds in the garden 4 weeks before the last expected frost. Plant them in full sun in rich, well-drained soil at a depth of 1 inch and 1 inch apart in rows spaced 1 to 2 feet apart. Germination should occur within 5 to 15 days.
Since each beet "seed" can contain up to 8 seeds, the seedlings will need to be thinned. Uprooted plants will produce a second crop, and their transplanting will place their harvest about 2 weeks behind the harvest of the first plants. Be careful not to damage the seedlings during weeding. Beets prefer cool weather and can survive temperatures down to -3°C (25°F)! Add compost or other organic matter for better growth.
Striped beets taste and feel better when harvested between 1" and 3" in diameter. After uprooting them, cut the foliage to about 1" from the stem to prevent the beets from bleeding. To preserve the unique coloring of Chioggia beets, treat them whole and cut them just before serving.