There are some things that inherently taste so good, the best way to enjoy them is really with minimal preparation. Who would have thought that peeling and caramelizing a few roots in the oven, would glorify this humble root vegetable to new heights?
These golden beauties are an absolute delight, use them whole or quartered, baked, sautéed, steamed or in soups. They have a slightly honeyed taste, sweeter than red beets, and they don’t dye other ingredients or stain the dishes they are prepared in.
Golden beets have a great mild taste with golden roots that can be lifted as baby beets, making an attractive addition to mixed salads, or left to mature. Best when harvested when small, but will not become fibrous when large. Leaves can be eaten as greens. circa 1940's. 55 days.
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris
Days to Maturity: 65–70 days
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant biennial grown as an annual
Plant Dimensions: Leaf tops to 12"–18" tall
Variety Information: Bright golden color, uniform, globe-shaped beets up to 3" in diameter.
~ sowing ~
*Special germination instructions: To hasten germination, soak seeds for 8 to 24 hours before sowing.
When to sow outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost, for early summer crop, and late summer for fall crop. Growing during hot temperature periods should be avoided. Zones 10 and 11 can sow fall through winter. When to start inside: Not recommended.
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 45°F, ideally 60°–85°F, for early summer crop. 6 to 8 weeks before your average first fall frost date for late summer/fall crop. Mild Climates: Sow fall through winter.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended. Root disturbance delays maturity.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 21 days
Seed Depth: ½"
Seed Spacing: 1 seed every 4"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 4"
~ harvesting ~
To use the fresh greens, harvest when leaves are small, under 3" long, pinching off the leaf stem to the ground. You can take as much as one third of a beet plant’s leaves without harming the root crop. Always leave 2" of foliage above ground level, if you plant to harvest throughout the season. Do not let them get too big; the smaller they are, the more tender. When growing for beet roots, early spring sowings should be harvested before summer heat. Harvest late summer sowings before the first heavy frost. Winter sowings in mild (frost free) climates should be harvested in early spring.
