Beets – Early Wonder

Beta vulgaris ‘Early Wonder’

• Growing Temperature: 45°F – 75°F
• Days to Maturity: 40-50 days (greens), 50-60 days (beets)

Easy to Grow: Early Wonder Beets are perfect for beginner gardeners. They’re tolerant of cool weather and mature quickly. The biggest challenge might be thinning the seedlings to allow for proper root growth. Beets can be roasted, pickled, boiled, or eaten raw. Their greens are also delicious and nutritious, making them a versatile and productive addition to your garden.

Direct Sowing: Sow seeds directly outdoors when soil temperatures reach 45°F. Plant seeds ½ inch deep, 12-15 seeds per foot in rows 14-18 inches apart. Once seedlings emerge and have a few true leaves, thin them to 1 plant every 2 inches. For a continuous harvest, sow seeds every 2 weeks until 8 weeks before your first fall frost. Aim to harvest beet greens 40-50 days after planting and beets 50-60 days after planting.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: For a head start, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting outdoors after frost danger has passed. 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 14-18 inches apart.

Harvesting: You can harvest Early Wonder beet greens as soon as they reach a size you prefer for salads or cooking. Beets are ready for harvest when the root reaches 1 ½ – 2 ½ inches in diameter. To check for size, you can carefully brush away some soil around the top of the beet.