Beet 'Merlin'

DETAILS:

QTY: 50

SITE: Sun

TYPE: Annual

DEPTH: 1/2"

GERMINATION: 6-8 Days at 21 - 30°C

MATURITY: 48 Days

SPACING: See below

HOW TO GROW:
Grows best in light or loamy soils with a pH over 6.0. In general, cool temperatures produce the best flesh color. Acute weather fluctuations will cause zoning (white rings) in the roots.

DIRECT SEEDING: Begin early sowings when soil has warmed to 7°C. Sow 15 seeds/ft. 1/2" deep, rows 12–18" apart. Thin to 1 plant per 3". For a continuous supply of greens and small tender beets, sow seed at 2-week intervals until 8 weeks before regular heavy frosts are expected.

TRANSPLANTING: Sow seed in a cold frame or indoors in early spring, about 5-6 weeks before transplanting out after heavy frosts become infrequent. Sow 1/2" deep, 2–3 seeds per cell in 72- or 128-cell flats. Transplant 3" apart in rows 12–18" apart. Beets transplanted using this method may not be as uniform as direct-seeded beets, and taproots will tangle, requiring the harvester to gently pull out the root while holding back the rest. However, transplanted beets can bring earlier harvests if poor weather conditions persist and interfere with direct seeding.