The Ruby Queen Beet is a round, smooth beetroots with a luxurious, lipstick red color that is retained when cooked. Ruby Queen is a great home garden beet, performing well in poor soil and is a compact size, growing short 10-inch tops. They are hardy in cold weather and are excellent for canning. Perfect for Harvard Beets, snacking, slicing in sandwiches, pickling, or pureeing for soups, smoothies, hummus, and sauces. Both the roots and greens are nutritious - rich in vitamins C, A, and fiber. Also Known As: Blood Beets, Red Garden Beet, Harvard Beet, Blood Turnip, Mangel, Beetroot, European Sugar Beet. Plant Name: Beet, Ruby Queen Latin Name: Beta vulgaris Days to Germinate: 5-10 Days to Harvest: 60 Plant Height: 12 - 18 Inches Spread: 6 - 12 Inches Growth Habit: Root USDA Zones: 2-11 Lifespan: Annual Brand: TomorrowSeeds Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated GMO: No Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No Seeds Packed For**: 2026 *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. Beets grows best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth. Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 18 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. Planting: Plant beets in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked, about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date (beet germination is 50F-85F). For fall crops, direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings outdoors 4-6 weeks before the first average frost date. To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and spaced 4 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Beets can also be planted in pairs down wider rows. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Planting Depth: 1/2 inch Within-Row Spacing: 4 inches Between-Row Spacing: 18-24 inches Care During the Season: Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots. Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions. Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions. Harvesting: Beets are ready to harvest once the roots reach 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, or leave in the ground longer for larger beets, about 50-70 days after planting. For the best flavor and tenderness, it’s recommended to harvest beets while they are still young. Beet greens can be harvested when they are young and tender for use in salads or cooking.
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