Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'

Common name: beet
Type:
Annual
USDA hardiness zones:
-

Although this heirloom beet produces very tasty beetroots which display distinctive white rings in cross section, it is also frequently grown today for culinary or ornamental use of its stunning dark purplish red leaves which form dense rosettes to 18\ tall. Young, tender leaves make excellent and colorful additions to salads. Leaf clumps also provide excellent foliage contrast to garden areas in somewhat the same manner as hostas. This plant can be grown in vegetable gardens or as an ornamental in the landscape or in mixed containers."

Bull's Blood' is an heirloom beet that... more »

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Medium
  • Low

Best grown in moist, fertile, organically rich, light, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Beet seeds (actually dried \seed clusters\", each with 3 or 4 seeds) may be sown in the ground about 30 days prior to the last spring frost date. Plant seeds 1/2\" deep and 1\" apart (with 12-18\" between rows when growing in vegetable gardens). Since several seedlings will emerge from each seed cluster, hand thinning to a 3-inch minimum spread should be done promptly after germination. Thinning is somewhat less important if plants are being grown only for foliage or as ornamentals. Successive plantings may be made every month during the season (seed planted in the heat of the summer may not germinate). Baby leaves develop in 35 days. Baby beets develop in 9-11 weeks. For proper growth, beets need regular and consistent moisture, with additional water provided during hot and dry summer periods to prevent bolting. Beets also prefer shallow cultivation to help control weeds. Beets are biennials whose roots may overwinter (they need a good straw mulch), with resprouting occurring in spring."

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