Beets, Chioggia Guardsmark

Guardsmark is an improved Chioggia beet with even more vibrant pink and white candy-cane rings and better uniformity than standard Chioggia. The sweet, mild flavor and stunning appearance make these perfect for shaving raw into salads where the stripes really shine.

Beets: Beets are the ultimate dual-harvest garden superstars, providing both nutrient-dense greens within weeks and sweet, earthy roots in 50-70 days—all from a single, edible plant. Modern cultivars offer vibrant diversity, including golden (non-staining), striped Chioggia (candy-cane interior), and cylindrical shapes perfect for uniform slicing, with flavors ranging from sugary-sweet to mineral-rich.

• Growing Tips: Transplant 4 weeks before the last frost for a spring crop or midsummer for a fall harvest; space plants 3-4 inches apart, thinning seedlings progressively and eating the thinnings as microgreens.

• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours) to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum); tolerates more shade than most root crops.

• Preferred Soil: Loose, well-drained, fertile soil free of rocks or obstructions; optimal pH 6.5-7.5; avoid fresh manure which causes forked roots.

• Harvest Details: Harvest greens continuously before root maturity; pull baby roots at 1-1.5 inches for maximum tenderness or mature roots at 2-3 inches in diameter (50-70 days).