Beets – Detroit Red

Beta vulgaris ‘Detroit Red’

• Growing Temp             50°F – 75°F

• Days to Maturity        55-60 days (greens), 60-70 days (beets)

A Classic Choice: Detroit Dark Red Beets are a beloved heirloom variety known for their deep red color, excellent flavor, and reliable performance. They’re relatively easy to grow, tolerating cool weather well. Beets can be roasted, pickled, boiled, or eaten 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. Plant seeds ½ inch deep, 10-12 seeds per foot in rows 12-18 inches apart. Once seedlings emerge and have a few true leaves, thin them to 2-3 inches apart. For a continuous 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, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds ½ inch deep in pots or trays, with 2-3 seeds per cell. Thin to the strongest seedling after germination. Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting them outdoors 3 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.

Harvesting: You can harvest Detroit Dark Red 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. To check for size, you can carefully brush away some soil around the top of the beet.