Detroit Dark Red Beet is a time-tested, heirloom beet variety that's been grown in market gardens and backyard gardens since 1892. This variety produces dark red, 3" round beets that are great for fresh eating and canning. Use these fresh in a salad or pickle in jars to save for later. Detroit Dark Red Beet also makes a great variety for baby beet production when smaller produce is desired. This variety is cold-tolerant and can be grown early in the spring and late into the fall. It is also heat-tolerant and will persist into late spring and early summer.

Beets may be direct seeded or grown as transplants. Beet Seeds are naturally multigerm, which means that each seed will germinate 2-3 plants. As a result, plants will require thinning once they emerge from the soil. Failure to thin will result in overcrowding and lack of consistently sized roots. Plants should be thinned to one every 3-4″ along the row. Beets may be planted on a bed with multiple rows close together. Harvest beets when roots have reached 3-4″ in size. For storage, remove the greens and keep the roots in the refrigerator.

Growing beets from transplants is also an effective method, because thinning can be done in the trays as opposed to the ground. Place one seed per cell in our seed starting trays and thin to one plant per cell. Transplant when a solid root system has developed, when the plants can be easily pulled from the cells. Transplant into the ground at 4″ spacing along the row. Beets work great grown in double rows to maximize garden space. For double row planting, plant two rows 4″ apart with 3′ between double rows.

Detroit Dark Red Beet Planting Information

Planting Method: transplant and direct seed

When to Plant: early spring and fall

Planting Depth: 1/2″

Seed Spacing: 4-6″

Row Spacing: 3′

Days to Maturity: 55

Disease Resistance: None