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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 0:34:21 GMT -5
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 7, 2019 0:34:21 GMT -5
Ok, since I haven't grown beets in the last 40 years, what's your favorite beet.
about the only thing on the shelf locally is Detroit Dark Red.
I want something sweet to make juice.
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 7, 2019 7:14:50 GMT -5
I have tried a couple of different ones but I usually come back to Detroit Dark Red. This season I grew Bulls Blood but we have not tasted them yet. I just harvested them last week. I think that the main difference is the pretty red leaves and since hubby loves to eat beet greens, the Bulls blood is a good one for him. He has eaten the greens several times over the growing season and he liked them.
If you have Detroit Dark Red available, I would try them first and see how you like them. They are very popular.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 7:31:00 GMT -5
Post by paquebot on Aug 7, 2019 7:31:00 GMT -5
I've grown at least a dozen varieties and currently growing three. Best one that I've ever found is Red Cloud. It's close to Detroit or Ruby Queen but sweeter. Lutz will get the biggest size but may get woody. Cylindra can be planted a little closer and remains good no matter how big. Stay away from the yellow or golden ones as they just don't have the right taste.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 7:32:20 GMT -5
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 7, 2019 7:32:20 GMT -5
brownrexx , Will do! Btw, have you tried the other colors? I saw some golden ones on BC. Ooops paquebot, we must have posted about the same time. i see you don't recommend the golden ones. Thanks!
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 7:37:07 GMT -5
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 7, 2019 7:37:07 GMT -5
brownrexx, paquebot, Have y'all tried the candy cane looking one? It's called Chiogga or something like that?
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 8:06:15 GMT -5
Post by brownrexx on Aug 7, 2019 8:06:15 GMT -5
I did try the Chiogga and it was pretty but not noticeably better than the Detroit Dark Red. We didn't like the yellow ones either. I also didn't like cylindra because of my hard, rocky soil. The beets were mis-shapen.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 9:09:09 GMT -5
Post by paulf on Aug 7, 2019 9:09:09 GMT -5
I am right with brownrexx-we have tried several over the years but DDR is the go to beet. For us it is as sweet or sweeter than any other.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 9:38:05 GMT -5
Post by Gianna on Aug 7, 2019 9:38:05 GMT -5
Another fan of Detroit Dark Red here. I thought Chioggia was very pretty, but if I recall, when cooked the color pattern did not remain distinct and flavor was not better. The yellow or gold ones are pretty on a plate when prepared with reds and as baby beets, but that is for aesthetic reasons not flavor IMO. I like Bull's Blood too, and last year I grew them with DDR because I had the seed (had purchased it when I was growing lots of baby greens for the color). Besides the darker color (pleasing) was not that different. Also years ago grew cylindra. It made such a non impression - I have no remembrance of it.
Detroit Dark Red can be found everywhere, and the seed is relatively inexpensive, so in terms of convenience, it's the one to go to and stick with. If given enough water here, it produces large, attractive flavorful roots. If forever-more it was the only one I could find and grow, I'd be happy.
Years ago I had some send up large inflorescences - if I had been a seed saver back then I could have had enough for a long time.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 11:09:53 GMT -5
Post by paquebot on Aug 7, 2019 11:09:53 GMT -5
Chioggia is OK but not impressive. In fact, I note that it's been dropped from Jung's catalog due to low sales. Early Wonder is one of the three that I'm growing this year along with Red Cloud and Bull's Blood. Red Ace is another good one that hasn't been mentioned. Don't know why I didn't include cylindra other than not having any seed at the time. That's one which is proof why beets are not always considered a root crop as all but the roots themselves are aboveground.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 18:28:09 GMT -5
Post by guruofgardens on Aug 7, 2019 18:28:09 GMT -5
This year I grew the golden beets for my daughter, she loves them with extra butter and who knows what spices. I grow only Cylindra for my pickled beets, as they are so much easier to slice evenly.
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Beets
Aug 7, 2019 23:04:20 GMT -5
Post by paquebot on Aug 7, 2019 23:04:20 GMT -5
If one doesn't like the "earthy" taste of beets, try growing sugar beets. When harvested at up to 2", they are quite good and the tops also can be steamed as greens. Even mangels can be eaten when young. I've grown sugar beets and red and yellow mangels and they are not just for sugar and animal feed.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Beets
Aug 11, 2019 21:25:31 GMT -5
Post by hairymooseknuckles on Aug 11, 2019 21:25:31 GMT -5
I'm all set. Found two .50 packs of Detroit Dark Red.
Just have to wait till heat gets out of the triple digits.
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Post by carolyn on Aug 12, 2019 6:11:21 GMT -5
there is nothing wrong with the yellow ones in taste. I think they are milder and better as a roasted beet rather than a boiled or canned beet. I don't think they would make good juice though.
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