• Envision the green foliage of Detroit Dark Red Beets Imaginez le feuillage vert des betteraves rouge foncé de Detroit
  • A beacon of health-conscious in-home gardening. Un phare de la santé dans le jardinage domestique
  • Infuse your culinary creations with the earthy sweetness Imprégnez vos créations culinaires de la douceur terreuse
  • Art of growing and harvesting has become a skill. L’art de la culture et de la récolte est devenu un savoir-faire.
  • Non-GMO Heirloom Container Garden Beetroot Vegetable Légumes de betterave de jardin en contenant héritage sans OGM
1 5

JNB Seed

Detroit Dark Red Beet Seeds

Detroit Dark Red Beet Seeds

$3.99 CAD
$3.99 CAD
Sale Sold out
Seed Count

Detroit Dark Red Beets, an heirloom variety originating from Detroit, Michigan, USA, since 1892, offer versatility in culinary applications. These vibrant red beets can be consumed raw in salads or cooked in various dishes like soups and stews. Their rich color and firm texture make them perfect for pickling or canning, ensuring prolonged storage without loss of quality. This heirloom variety is highly favored in farmers' markets and home gardens for its exceptional taste and storability. With round, smooth roots measuring approximately 7.6 cm in diameter, these organic Detroit dark red beets exhibit a uniform blood-red color without zoning. The medium green tops, tinged with red, can be harvested early for fresh salad greens. They mature in just 58 days.

Originally developed by Mr. Reeves in Ontario, Canada, from blood turnips, Detroit Dark Red beets have a long history dating back to ancient Mediterranean regions. Introduced in 1892, they quickly gained popularity due to their sweet and succulent flavor. American colonists brought these beets to the New World, where they became a staple vegetable enjoyed for both their roots and greens. Ideal for home vegetable gardens, these beets provide nutritious greens and roots that can be canned for long-term storage. Enjoy their sweetness whether fresh or preserved, adding a wholesome touch to your culinary endeavors.

How To Grow

Sowing: Plant Detroit Dark Red beet seeds directly outdoors four weeks before the last expected frost. Prior to planting, soak the seeds in water for 2 hours to soften them. Plant the seeds in well-drained soil under full sun, sowing them 2.5 centimeters deep and spacing them 2.5 centimeters apart in rows that are 30-60 centimeters apart. Ensure good soil contact by gently pressing down on the soil above the seeds. Germination typically occurs within 5-15 days. Enhance soil fertility by incorporating compost or organic matter. For beneficial companion planting, consider planting Detroit Dark Red beet seeds alongside bush beans, onions, or cabbage family members, while avoiding proximity to pole beans.

Growing: Each Detroit Dark Red beet "seed" contains up to 8 actual seeds, necessitating thinning of seedlings to 7.5 centimeters apart. Uprooted plants can be replanted as a second crop, albeit setting them back approximately 2 weeks compared to the original plants. Exercise caution to avoid damaging the seedlings during weed removal. These beets thrive in cooler temperatures and can withstand lows of -3.8°C.

Harvesting

Harvesting: For optimal taste and tenderness, harvest Detroit Dark Red beets when they reach a diameter of 2.5 to 7.6 centimeters. After pulling them from the soil, twist off the tops approximately 2.5 centimeters up the stem to prevent bleeding. These beets have excellent storage capabilities for future use. Additionally, they yield attractive green tops that mature in 40 days, allowing for the harvest of one-third of the tops without harming the plant.

Seed Saving

Seed Saving: To maintain genetic purity, ensure a distance of at least 3.2 kilometers between beet varieties and other chard plants for wind pollination. For seed production, beets need to endure winter conditions. In warmer regions, mulch the plants, while in cooler climates, store the roots individually in sand in a cool, humid environment. Replant them in early spring, and they will soon produce seeds. Harvest the fully matured and dry seed heads in spring. Once completely dry, remove the seeds from the stems. Store Detroit Dark Red beet seeds in a cool, dry place for up to five years. When the beet tops turn brown, harvest the flower stems, dry them thoroughly, and manually remove the seeds from the plant material. Label and store the seeds in a dry, dark location for up to three years.

Extra Facts

Planting Methods: Direct Seeding Outdoor, Indoor Seed Starting, Transplanting Seedlings, Successive Planting, Raised Beds or Containers, Companion Planting
Blooming Season Late Spring or Early Summer
Planting Season: Early Spring or Late Summer
Latin Name/USDA Zones: Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris./ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Sunlight Required/Height: Full Sun/ 20 to 30 cm
Can I Grow Beet Seeds Sprouts: Yes
Shelf Life After Test Date: Detroit Dark Red beet seeds typically remain viable for 2-4 years post the test date if stored in a cool, dry place. After this period, germination rates may decline. Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry location to maintain their quality. Perform a germination test for older seeds, as fresher seeds generally yield higher success rates and healthier plants.
Seed Type: Non-hybrid, Open-pollinated
Soil type: Loam Soil or Sandy Loam

View full details