Chioggia Beet Seeds (Organic)

Chioggia Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a striking Italian heirloom known as the candy-striped or bull's-eye beet, with concentric red-and-white rings inside scarlet skin. The round roots are sweet and mildly earthy, beautiful sliced raw in salads, and equally good roasted, steamed, or pickled. The tender tops are nutritious for sauteing or soups.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Beta vulgaris (Crassa group)
• Type: Heirloom biennial, organic
• Days to maturity: 55 to 65 days
• Sun: Partial sun
• Planting depth: 1/2 inch
• Spacing after thinning: 2 to 4 inches
• Germination: 5 to 10 days at 50 to 85°F soil
• Seeds per packet: about 200 (about 11,322 per 1/4 lb bulk)

Best for

• Spring and fall cool-season planting
• Salad gardens that showcase the ringed slices
• Dual harvests of roots and greens
• Roasting, steaming, and pickling
• Gardeners and cooks wanting a showy heirloom

How to grow

Sow 1/2 inch deep in well-draining soil in partial sun, keeping evenly moist for the 5 to 10 day germination. Thin seedlings to 2 to 4 inches so roots can develop. Chioggia grows quickly and prefers cooler weather, making it ideal for spring and fall. Harvest the roots at 55 to 65 days and pick tender tops along the way.

Flavor profile

The flesh is sweet and mildly earthy with less of the strong flavor of darker beets, and the striking red-and-white rings make it a standout raw, roasted, or pickled.

About Grow Organic

Grow Organic supplies non-GMO, certified organic seeds for gardeners who value flavor, color, and dependable harvests.

Sold by Grow Organic, based in Grass Valley, California.