The Chioggia was the most productive, Egyptian grew much slower due to the heat and Lutz didn't develop at all. Chioggia is a favorite beet of many heirloom gardeners. It's great that Chioggia could tolerate our warm winter climate.
6 weeks
3 months
The cabbageworms, snails and slugs did some damage to the leaves but didn't affect the growth of the beets. If you're growing beets for salad greens in Kihei it's a good idea to cover them with a tulle net.
Chioggia
2 months
I planted seeds directly into a large container filled with organic potting soil and amended the soil with green sand and an organic all purpose fertilizer. The soil depth should be at least 8 inches to accommodate the root. I recommend daily water and bi-weekly applications of fish emulsion or a monthly application of an organic all purpose fertilizer.
The beets look lovely Jane. I really need to find a space in the garden to plant a row. It's one veggie that I often forget about.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin! I bet beets do really well in your climate. There are so many wonderful fruits and veggies to grow that it's hard to find room for everything. I don't can my harvests as I can't eat sugar so this winter I've been experimenting with fermenting and I grew beets for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteAloha, Jane,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a few days of an artificial ice pack on top of the carrot and beet rows (or packed alongside the shoots?) at some growth-cycle moment might trigger more sweet-type flavor. I am tempted to see if I could have the fish-counter guys scoop out their "stale" ice when they clear the display cases - the bonus of scales, fish blood, da kine might give those roots a boost as well. Eh, "free water, free food" just for schleppin' a dusty old ice chest inta da Foodland at night.... No, no tin-foil hats around here!
Hi Pomaika'i! That's a great idea - it might work really well Upcountry. In Kihei ice melts pretty darn quick when it's outside even in the shade. It's hot in Kihei even in the winter.
ReplyDelete