Sweet flavored, deep red, globe-shaped variety, with short dark green tops. The Ruby Queen Beet is a popular variety in the northeast. This 1957 All-America Selections Winner was rated by a panel of garden writers as one of the dozen top all-time vegetable varieties.

300 seeds

PLANTING

Beta vulgaris

Germination:5-10days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 50-85F.Soaking seed overnight aids in the germination.

Seed Sowing Depth:1/2 deep

Starting Indoors:4-6 weeks before the last frost. Sow 1-2 seeds per cell/pot. Thin to 1 seedling per cell/pot. Transplant outdoors when the first true leaves appear, 3 apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Early spring with soil temperatures at least 50F. Sow 1-2 apart, thin when plants are 2-4 tall, 3-4 apart.Germination is slower at lower soil temperatures.

How much does a packet plant:20-25 foot single row

Harvest:Begin picking at 1 for baby beets and up to 3 across for the most tender and best tasting. For best storage cut off the greens 2 above the top of the beet.

Tips:Ruby Queen Beet seeds are actually fruits that contain multiple seeds inside with several seedlings emerging from one seed. Use the thinned seedlings for beet greens or plant a heavily seeded row for baby beet greens. Beets need to grow rapidly and evenly by providing soil rich in organic matter and adequate moisture. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest.