This heirloom variety produces bright red round beets with maroon tinged leaves. The beets are smooth and very sweet. This early variety produces well in poor soils and the beets can be crowded. Plant close together and thin when the beet is about an inch or two in diameter.  52 days.

BEETS

WHEN TO PLANT: 4 weeks before first frost free date.
DEPTH OF PLANTING: 1" deep
PLANTS APART IN ROWS (AFTER THINNING): 2-6" apart
DISTANCE BETWEEN ROWS: 16-20" apart
RAISED BED PLANTING GUIDE: After thinning, plants should be 3-4" apart throughout bed.
SOIL TYPE RECOMMENDED: Beets do well in almost any soil. A sandy, well drained soil with plenty of compost promotes large roots and rapid growth. Hard, clay soil is difficult for almost all root crops.

NOTE: Soak seed for 12 hours before planting. May be started in hotbeds before transplanting to garden.

TUCSON PLANTING INFORMATION: Seed may be planted from August 25 to April 1. Consecutive plantings insure fresh beets and greens for much of the year.