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Jessie Keith
Chenopodiaceae
BETA vulgaris 'Merlin'
Beet
The deep red beet, ‘Merlin’, is slow to bolt and produces lots of perfectly round, smooth-skinned, red beets. The sweet roots emit brilliant magenta-red juice that stains everything. They develop quickly and can be harvested after only 55 days or in 35 days for baby beets. This selection also has edible greens that are dark green with red leaf stalks.
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 green and red beet leaves of 'Merlin' can also be cooked and eaten as a green.
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
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
Red, Green
Tan
Red, Dark Green
Green, Dark Green
No
Yes
Coarse
Matte
Bedding Plant, Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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