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James H. Schutte
Chenopodiaceae
Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'
Beet
The colorful beet, ‘Bull’s Blood’, is an old time variety that's still popular today. Its roots are deep red and show concentric pink and red circles on the interior when cut across. This colorful root vegetable emits brilliant magenta-red juice that stains everything. It is a fine selection that produces firm, round, sweet roots quickly and early in the season (60-harvest days). For baby beets, harvest in 35 to 40 days. It also has lovely purple-red leaves that can be eaten.
Usually grown as annuals, beets are actually biennials, which means they generate large roots and lush foliage in the first year and flower, set seed and die in the second. The flowers are unimpressive but produce lots of seed that can be saved from year to year. Beets originate from Europe where they have been cultivated for hundreds of years.
Grow beets in full sun and fertile, friable garden soil. It is best to berm up the soil where they are grown to ensure the roots have lots of loose, well-drained soil. They require regular water and light fertilization. The seeds germinate more quickly if soaked in warm water for 30 minutes before planting.
Grow beets in full sun and fertile, friable garden soil. It is best to berm up the soil where they are grown to ensure the roots have lots of loose, properly drained soil. They require regular water and light fertilization. The seeds germinate more quickly if soaked in warm water for 30 minutes before planting.
Beets are especially popular in Northern European and Russian cooking because they grow best in cooler northern regions. They taste great pickled, roasted, sautéed or added to soups, like borscht, and salads. The purple-red beet leaves of 'Bull's Blood' can also be cooked and eaten as greens.
12 - 1
6 - 10
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Europe
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Very Fast
Average Water
Rosette/Stemless
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Red, Green
Tan
Green, Dark Red
No
Yes
Coarse
Matte
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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