Detroit 2 Crimson Globe Red Beetroot - Beta vulgaris

The Detroit 2 Crimson Globe red beetroot is a biennial vegetable plant that grows up to 40 cm (16in) tall. It is an early variety cultivated for its round roots with a sweet taste. It is ideal for salads, cooked or raw, and also for juicing. Sow from April to May for a harvest 4 months later.

Beetroots are biennial root vegetables. The first year is dedicated to the accumulation of nutrients in the root. The second year, the plant draws from this reserve to produce flowering and then seed production. The edible root is harvested in the first year, but if you want to produce your own seeds, you will need to wait until the following year by reserving a few plants for this purpose. Sometimes called red carrot or red root, beetroot varieties differ in their colour: there are red, white, yellow, orange, or pink varieties, as well as in their shapes, such as cylindrical, spherical, or ovate, and in their carbohydrate content.

They can be classified into three main categories:

• vegetable beetroots usually grown in gardens,
• sugar beets grown in open fields for sugar extraction,
• and finally, fodder beets intended for livestock but also very tasty in human diets.

Beetroot is not only a carbohydrate-rich food, but it is also known for its high content of vitamins and minerals, particularly potassium.

Storage: Once the beetroots are harvested, they should be left to dry for a full day on the ground. To store them throughout the winter, it is recommended to store them in a cool and dark place like a cellar or pantry. To optimize storage and preserve the taste qualities, you can bury them under a layer of dry sand.

The gardener's tip: Beetroots should be planted in full sun but also need to remain in cool soil. To maintain these two conditions, consider mulching around the plants.

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