Overview:
The leaves of Bulls Blood Beets mature to baby greens in about 35 days. Roots of this heirloom show attractive candy-striped zoning when sliced and mature in 55 days.
Growing Instructions:
Sowing: Direct sow outside 4 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Soften seeds by soaking them for 2 hours in water, then plant in full sun and well drained soil. Sow 1″ deep and 1″ apart in rows 1-2′ apart. Press down the earth above the seeds to ensure good soil contact. For companion planting, plant with bush beans, onions, or members of the cabbage family.
Germination: 5–10 days at 50–85°F.
Care: Bulls blood beet “seeds” hold up to 8 actual seeds, seedlings need to be thinned 3″ apart. The uprooted plants will do well as a second crop, as transplanting them will set them behind about 2 weeks from the original crop. Take care to not bruise the seedlings when weeding. They love the cold weather and can survive temperatures down to 25°F.
Harvest: 50–60 days for roots, 30 days for greens. Harvest roots at 1–3 inches.
