BEET Seeds, Bull's Blood

Bull's Blood Beet (Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood') is an heirloom, open-pollinated beet grown for both its sweet roots and its striking deep red-purple foliage. The leaves are prized as baby greens, while the roots offer classic beet flavor.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated beet
• Days to maturity: 35 days for baby leaves; longer for roots
• Root size: 2 to 3 inches across
• Sun: Full sun (6 to 8 hours)
• Soil: Well-drained, organic-rich, pH 6.0 to 7.0

Best for

• Baby-leaf salad mixes
• Roasting, boiling, and pickling roots
• Ornamental edible borders
• Microgreens and garnishes

How to grow

Direct sow in full sun in early spring or late summer in cool weather. Keep the soil consistently moist for tender roots and leaves. Harvest baby leaves around 35 days, and let roots size up over a longer season. Thin seedlings to give roots room to develop.

Flavor profile

Sweet, earthy roots and mild, tender leaves with a deep beet flavor. The dark foliage adds both color and a gentle earthiness to salads.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms is a seed company devoted to heirloom and open-pollinated varieties, giving home gardeners dependable seeds with the character and heritage of generations past.

Sold by 99Heirlooms.com, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.