Days to Maturity: 60
For a versatile, all-around superb beet for eating fresh or canning, it's hard to top Detroit Dark Red Short Top. Ever since its 1892 introduction, this versatile variety has been delighting gardeners and cooks!
Whether you like baby beets harvested at their most succulent or full-bodied mature globes, Detroit Dark Red satisfies. It sprouts reliably even in cold spring weather, yet also holds beautifully in the heat. From its lush above-ground greens to its oxblood-red roots, this is a nutritious and delicious vegetable.
These mid-sized (up to 3 inches in diameter) roots are tender and sweet, with a smooth, round shape and fine-grained texture. The tops reach about a foot high, and make excellent greens -- cut them sparingly as they grow, and you will always have a handful ready for the evening meal.
pBeets are a cool-weather crop, direct-sown in fall or as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Before planting, make sure that the soil is as loose, rich, and well drained as possible, so that the root can grow without stress.
Root crops are popular with both commercial growers and home gardeners because they're versatile, delicious, and in many cases, perfect for canning or over-winter storage. Beets, Radishes, Turnips, and Carrots contain numerous vitamins and nutrients, offer a wide range of flavors and textures, can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and are wonderfully easy to grow!
Choosing Root Crop Varieties
When choosing which Beets or Radishes to grow there are several factors you will want to take into consideration. First of all, both come in a variety of interesting shapes and beautiful colors, so pick whatever appeals to your eye! Also, Radishes offer varying degrees of heat and Beets have flavors that range from earthy to sweet. Smaller Beets are usually the best for canning and pickling, and many people enjoy the nutritious Beet greens as well as the root itself. As far as choosing a type of Carrot to plant, you will be deciding mostly by color and shape.
When to Start Root Crops
Direct sow your root crops in early spring or late summer. They're cool-weather crops, most preferring temperatures of around 70 degrees F in order to germinate. All but Carrots will germinate in a week to ten days. Carrots can take up to 3 weeks.
How to Start Root Crops
Direct sowing is preferable to transplanting because there is less root disturbance. Before sowing, cultivate deeply.
Beets: Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing -- this will aid in germination. Early spring is the typical time to sow your Beets, but in zones 9 to 10 you can sow outdoors in the fall. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds, planting successively at 3-week intervals for crops throughout the season. Site in full sun in a loose, rich, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 10 to 15 days and harvests within 50 to 60.
Radishes: Early spring is the typical time to sow your Radishes, but in zones 8 and warmer you can sow outdoors in the fall for a winter crop. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds, planting successively at 2-week intervals until mid-spring and then again in late summer. Site in full sun in a loose, rich, sandy, moist, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 6 to 10 days.
Carrots: Early spring is the typical time to sow your Carrots, but in warm climates you can sow outdoors in the fall for a fall crop. Sow at a ¼-inch depth, planting successively at 3-week intervals until early summer. Site in full sun in rich, loose, deeply worked and well-drained soil. Expect germination in 14 to 21 days.
Turnips: Sow in early spring after all danger of frost is past but while the ground is still cool. You can make successive sowings up to 5 weeks before temperatures are above 80 degrees F, then again in late summer if you want a fall harvest. In zones 8 and warmer you can also sow from early fall through spring for continuous crops over the winter. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds. Site in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 8 to 10 days.
Special Considerations
Growing Tips: Beets, Radishes, Turnips, Carrots
Beets:
Radishes:
Turnips:
Carrots:
Pests and Problems to Watch For
This close relative of Chard is grown for its globular or tapering, red-colored, edible roots and for the coarse, reddish green, edible leaves. Both are high in iron. Dig the beet roots when they are 2-3 inches diameter and harvest the leaves at this same time. Beet roots and greens will keep in the field for 2-3 weeks after they are mature and the roots will keep for up to a month in storage
Note: These seed counts are estimates. The actual number of seeds per ounce/pound may vary slightly.
Corn | Beans | Peas | Beets | Onions | |||
(P) Pkt * | 200 | 100 | 160 | (P) Pkt * | 200 | 200 | |
(M) 1/4 lb | 575 | 275 | 375 | (G) 1/4 oz | 450 | 2000 | |
(N) 1/2 lb | 1150 | 550 | 750 | (H) 1/2 oz | 900 | 4000 | |
(L) 1 lb | 2300 | 1100 | 1500 | (J) 1 oz | 1800 | 8000 | |
(R) 2 lbs | 4600 | 2200 | 3000 | (K) 2 oz | 3600 | 16000 | |
(S) 5 lbs | 11500 | 5500 | 7500 |
* A few varieties may have a different (P) Pkt seed count than the quantity listed; check the specific variety's description for the number of seeds per pkt.
Superior Germination Through Superior Science
First of all, we have humidity- and temperature-controlled storage, and we never treat any of our seeds with chemicals or pesticides. Nor do we ever sell GMO's (genetically modified seeds), so you always know the products you're buying from us are natural as well as safe for you and the environment.
Superior Standards - University Inspected
Hand Packed By Experienced Technicians
Park Seed has been handling and packing vegetable and flower seeds for 145 years, a history that has given us a great understanding of how each variety should be cared for and maintained throughout every step of theprocess, from collection to shipping.
When packing our seeds, the majority are actually done by hand (with extreme care!), and we often over-pack them, so you're receiving more than the stated quantity.
The Park Seed Gold Standard
Heirloom Seeds are open-pollinated -- they are not hybrids. You can gather and save heirloom seed from year to year and they will grow true to type every year, so they can be passed down through generations. To be considered an heirloom, a variety would have to be at least from the 1940's and 3 generations old (many varieties are much older -- some 100 years or more!).
Hybrid seed are the product of cross-pollination between 2 different parent plants, resulting in a new plant/seed that is different from the parents. Unlike Heirloom seed, hybrid seed need to be re-purchased new every year (and not saved). They usually will not grow true to type if you save them, but will revert to one of the parents they were crossed with and most likely look/taste different in some way.
Days to Maturity: 60
For a versatile, all-around superb beet for eating fresh or canning, it's hard to top Detroit Dark Red Short Top. Ever since its 1892 introduction, this versatile variety has been delighting gardeners and cooks!
Whether you like baby beets harvested at their most succulent or full-bodied mature globes, Detroit Dark Red satisfies. It sprouts reliably even in cold spring weather, yet also holds beautifully in the heat. From its lush above-ground greens to its oxblood-red roots, this is a nutritious and delicious vegetable.
These mid-sized (up to 3 inches in diameter) roots are tender and sweet, with a smooth, round shape and fine-grained texture. The tops reach about a foot high, and make excellent greens -- cut them sparingly as they grow, and you will always have a handful ready for the evening meal.
pBeets are a cool-weather crop, direct-sown in fall or as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Before planting, make sure that the soil is as loose, rich, and well drained as possible, so that the root can grow without stress.
Root crops are popular with both commercial growers and home gardeners because they're versatile, delicious, and in many cases, perfect for canning or over-winter storage. Beets, Radishes, Turnips, and Carrots contain numerous vitamins and nutrients, offer a wide range of flavors and textures, can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and are wonderfully easy to grow!
Choosing Root Crop Varieties
When choosing which Beets or Radishes to grow there are several factors you will want to take into consideration. First of all, both come in a variety of interesting shapes and beautiful colors, so pick whatever appeals to your eye! Also, Radishes offer varying degrees of heat and Beets have flavors that range from earthy to sweet. Smaller Beets are usually the best for canning and pickling, and many people enjoy the nutritious Beet greens as well as the root itself. As far as choosing a type of Carrot to plant, you will be deciding mostly by color and shape.
When to Start Root Crops
Direct sow your root crops in early spring or late summer. They're cool-weather crops, most preferring temperatures of around 70 degrees F in order to germinate. All but Carrots will germinate in a week to ten days. Carrots can take up to 3 weeks.
How to Start Root Crops
Direct sowing is preferable to transplanting because there is less root disturbance. Before sowing, cultivate deeply.
Beets: Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing -- this will aid in germination. Early spring is the typical time to sow your Beets, but in zones 9 to 10 you can sow outdoors in the fall. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds, planting successively at 3-week intervals for crops throughout the season. Site in full sun in a loose, rich, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 10 to 15 days and harvests within 50 to 60.
Radishes: Early spring is the typical time to sow your Radishes, but in zones 8 and warmer you can sow outdoors in the fall for a winter crop. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds, planting successively at 2-week intervals until mid-spring and then again in late summer. Site in full sun in a loose, rich, sandy, moist, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 6 to 10 days.
Carrots: Early spring is the typical time to sow your Carrots, but in warm climates you can sow outdoors in the fall for a fall crop. Sow at a ¼-inch depth, planting successively at 3-week intervals until early summer. Site in full sun in rich, loose, deeply worked and well-drained soil. Expect germination in 14 to 21 days.
Turnips: Sow in early spring after all danger of frost is past but while the ground is still cool. You can make successive sowings up to 5 weeks before temperatures are above 80 degrees F, then again in late summer if you want a fall harvest. In zones 8 and warmer you can also sow from early fall through spring for continuous crops over the winter. Sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seeds. Site in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Expect germination in 8 to 10 days.
Special Considerations
Growing Tips: Beets, Radishes, Turnips, Carrots
Beets:
Radishes:
Turnips:
Carrots:
Pests and Problems to Watch For
This close relative of Chard is grown for its globular or tapering, red-colored, edible roots and for the coarse, reddish green, edible leaves. Both are high in iron. Dig the beet roots when they are 2-3 inches diameter and harvest the leaves at this same time. Beet roots and greens will keep in the field for 2-3 weeks after they are mature and the roots will keep for up to a month in storage
Note: These seed counts are estimates. The actual number of seeds per ounce/pound may vary slightly.
Corn | Beans | Peas | Beets | Onions | |||
(P) Pkt * | 200 | 100 | 160 | (P) Pkt * | 200 | 200 | |
(M) 1/4 lb | 575 | 275 | 375 | (G) 1/4 oz | 450 | 2000 | |
(N) 1/2 lb | 1150 | 550 | 750 | (H) 1/2 oz | 900 | 4000 | |
(L) 1 lb | 2300 | 1100 | 1500 | (J) 1 oz | 1800 | 8000 | |
(R) 2 lbs | 4600 | 2200 | 3000 | (K) 2 oz | 3600 | 16000 | |
(S) 5 lbs | 11500 | 5500 | 7500 |
* A few varieties may have a different (P) Pkt seed count than the quantity listed; check the specific variety's description for the number of seeds per pkt.
Superior Germination Through Superior Science
First of all, we have humidity- and temperature-controlled storage, and we never treat any of our seeds with chemicals or pesticides. Nor do we ever sell GMO's (genetically modified seeds), so you always know the products you're buying from us are natural as well as safe for you and the environment.
Superior Standards - University Inspected
Hand Packed By Experienced Technicians
Park Seed has been handling and packing vegetable and flower seeds for 145 years, a history that has given us a great understanding of how each variety should be cared for and maintained throughout every step of theprocess, from collection to shipping.
When packing our seeds, the majority are actually done by hand (with extreme care!), and we often over-pack them, so you're receiving more than the stated quantity.
The Park Seed Gold Standard
Heirloom Seeds are open-pollinated -- they are not hybrids. You can gather and save heirloom seed from year to year and they will grow true to type every year, so they can be passed down through generations. To be considered an heirloom, a variety would have to be at least from the 1940's and 3 generations old (many varieties are much older -- some 100 years or more!).
Hybrid seed are the product of cross-pollination between 2 different parent plants, resulting in a new plant/seed that is different from the parents. Unlike Heirloom seed, hybrid seed need to be re-purchased new every year (and not saved). They usually will not grow true to type if you save them, but will revert to one of the parents they were crossed with and most likely look/taste different in some way.