Beets – Chioggia

Beta vulgaris ‘Chioggia’

• Growing Temperature: 50°F – 75°F
• Days to Maturity: 60-70 days

Striking Beauty: Chioggia Beets, also known as Candy Cane Beets, are a visually stunning heirloom variety prized for their concentric red and white rings. While just as delicious as red beets, they offer a milder, sweeter flavor. They’re moderately easy to grow, requiring some attention to soil preparation but rewarding you with a unique and versatile vegetable. Enjoy them roasted, pickled, boiled, or raw. The beet greens are also delicious and can be used similarly to Swiss chard.

Direct Sowing: Wait until soil temperatures reach at least 50°F before sowing seeds directly outdoors. Prepare loose, well-drained soil by adding compost or aged manure for optimal root development. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 8-10 seeds per foot in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Once seedlings emerge and have a few true leaves, thin them to 3-4 inches apart. To extend your harvest, sow seeds every 2-3 weeks until 8 weeks before your first fall frost. Aim to harvest beet greens 55-60 days after planting and beets 60-70 days after planting.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: For an earlier harvest, you can start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds ½ inch deep in pots or trays with well-draining potting mix, using 2-3 seeds per cell. Thin to the strongest seedling after germination. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting them outdoors 3-4 inches apart in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Ensure the soil is loose and amended with compost for healthy root growth.

Harvesting: You can harvest Chioggia beet greens as soon as they reach a size you prefer for salads or cooking. Beets are ready to harvest when the root reaches 2 ½ – 3 inches in diameter. Unlike some beet varieties, Chioggia beets won’t necessarily show the entire bulb above the soil. To check for size, carefully feel around the base of the plant or gently brush away some soil.