(Beta vulgaris) Touchstone came on the scene several years ago and took the golden beet category by storm! Low germination, wonky shapes, and inconsistent performance had plagued Golden beet varieties. Here's a new standard: lush and vigorous leaf growth, beautifully shaped round, smooth roots, and great mild, sweet flavor. Nice to see such a solid breeding effort go into an OP when so much of the beet market has gone hybrid. Golden beets are a culinary beauty and make for a dashing presentation in any beet dish (and no migrating color!). Grate them, grill them, steam them, roast them…
55-60 days. MP

Packet: 100 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Direct sow seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring (April) and into late July. Some people try to push the season even earlier by sowing in flats indoors and transplanting, but we are not those kinds of people. Direct seeding is strongly recommended.

Note: Beets prefer cooler ambient temperatures, light, sandy, and loamy soil, and an even watering schedule (do not let the soil dry out before emergence!). For baby beets and greens, seeds can be sown every 2 weeks until 2 months before your first projected heavy frost.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/2"

SPACING:

6-8 seeds per linear foot, thinning to 2-3" between plants in rows 15-24" apart (they may be planted closer between rows for non-mechanical cultivation). Each seed is actually many seeds encapsulated in one package!

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 55-75F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Low to medium. While beets prefer well-prepared and fertile soil (to avoid scab, make sure any addition of organic matter is well composted), they will tolerate lower fertility. Aim for a neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Acidic soils (pH below 6.0) are a no-no for beets!

Specific minerals needed for quality beets are boron (most common mineral deficiency in beets), calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Aim for 1-2-2 (N-P-K) fertilizer one week before sowing.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Remember that beets prefer cooler temperatures, even water, and space. Keep em weeded!

If your beets are producing voluptuous greens and small roots, this means your soil is too heavy in Nitrogen.

Severe temperature fluctuations often cause zoning (white rings) in the roots.

Beet, 'Touchstone Gold'