If you are particularly accident prone, like me, you might want to avoid bright colored staining vegetables like beets (Beta vulgaris). That pinkish-red never comes out. Fortunately, there is a clothes saving alternative beet. Growing Burpee’s Golden beet provides you with all that beety goodness without sacrificing your wardrobe. It has a deep yellow hue and a rich, deep taste.
Golden Beetroot History
The name “beet” comes from the Celtic word for red. However, new cultivars are expanding that old traditional hue into a rainbow of colors. Burpee’s Golden beet plant has a lovely sunny color inside and an outer orange skin. The plant has been available since the 1940s and became popular for its sweet, mild flavor and delightful tone. The globes are 2 inches wide, developing in 50 to 55 days from planting time.
Interestingly, golden beetroot history actually commenced in the 1800s, but few gardeners grew the yellow vegetable because red was the proper color of a beet. Once the commercial variety was released and properly marketed, the Burpee’s version became popular.
Growing Burpee’s Golden Beet
You can plant the seed as soon as soil is workable in spring, all the way until June or early July for a fall crop. Beets need direct sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Sow seeds an inch deep in rows 12 inches apart. You can plant successive crops for a constant supply of these sweet treats. Thin the seedlings to 4 to 6 inches apart. Use those thinnings in salad or gently sautéed in much the same way you would use spinach.
Water is an important part of root crop care. Consistent moisture will prevent the beetroot from going to seed. It is also important to have fluffy soil for the roots to grow into. Compacted soil results in contorted roots and smaller size. Burpee’s Golden beet plant is available by seed in many garden centers and online catalogs.
Beets are like any other vegetable and are best used fresh. Use the beet greens within a day or two of picking them. The globes can be stored in a bag in the crisper for over a week. You can also freeze a bumper crop for later use. Steam, poach or roast the beet and freeze in plastic containers or bags for up to 6 months. Canning the beets brings out their sweetness and golden beets also make great pickles. Burpee’s Golden beet plant is a standout performer, which yields plenty of the beautiful roots to try in a variety of ways – and without the mess.
