Beet - Bull's Blood

Bull’s Blood: The red-purple leaf of this beet can be used as greens in salads. Use the entire plant in spring and fall salads. For tender beets, harvest when the root is 2-3 inches in diameter. Planting Tips: This beet can be directly sown as soon as the soil can be worked. The plant prefers cooler weather and full sun. Weeds will compete for nutrition with beets so be sure to keep the weeds at bay. They will require at least 1” of water per week during the growing season. Staggering planting allows for a longer harvest season. Seed Depth- ½”, Seed Spacing - 6 seeds/foot, Days to Germination - 5-10 days, Plant spacing - 4 - 6”, Row Spacing - 12-24”, Plant Height - 12”.

Saving Seeds: Beets are biannual and will only seed after the second year of sowing. Beets also are wind pollinated so be conscious of other beets being planted to avoid cross pollination. Plants will flower in June through July. When seed spikes are dry and tan or brown in color, cut plants and allow to dry in a paper bag for two weeks. Once dry, rub spikes to release seeds. Store seeds in a cool dry place using paper envelopes. Label all seeds and store for up to 5 years.