Grow Guide to Detroit Dark Red Beets

Beta vulgaris

Plant Description

Detroit Dark Red is a classic heirloom beet variety, beloved for its smooth, round roots, deep crimson color, and sweet, earthy flavor. Both the roots and leafy green tops are edible, making this a double harvest crop. It’s a compact, cool-season vegetable that's easy to grow and rewards you quickly.

Quick Facts

  • Sunlight: Full sun
  • Days to Sprout: 5–15 days
  • Days to Harvest: 60–70 days
  • Plant Spacing: 2–4 inches
  • Seeds per Hole: 2 (thin to strongest seedling)
  • Plant Type: Biennial (grown as Annual)
  • Planting Depth: ½ inch

Best Planting Locations

  • Garden Beds: Loose, rock-free soil helps roots grow evenly and round.
  • Raised Beds: Warm up faster in spring and drain well—great for early beet crops.
  • Containers: Use containers at least 10” deep. Great for growing beet greens or baby beets.
  • Row Edges: Beets grow well alongside fast crops like radishes or lettuces.

Getting Started

  1. Direct Sow: Beets don’t like transplanting. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil after danger of frost has passed.
  2. Soil Needs: Loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. Avoid fresh manure or high-nitrogen fertilizers that encourage leafy growth over root formation.
  3. Thinning: Essential. Thin to 2–4 inches apart once seedlings reach 2 inches tall.

Companion / Enemy Plants

Good Companions: Lettuce, onions, bush beans, radishes, and cabbage family crops.

Avoid Planting Near: Pole beans and field mustard (can inhibit root development).

Attractants / Repellents

Attracts: Flowering beets (if left to bolt) can draw pollinators. Young beet greens support beneficial insects.

Repels: Not particularly repellent, but healthy beets contribute to overall garden biodiversity and may deter soilborne issues.

When to Plant

  • Spring: Sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. Beets tolerate light frosts and germinate in cool soil.
  • Fall: Sow again in late summer for a fall harvest. Roots improve in flavor as temps cool.

Maintenance

  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during early growth. Uneven watering can lead to cracked roots.
  • Fertilizing: Add compost before planting. Side-dress with balanced organic fertilizer if needed midseason.
  • Pest Prevention: Use row covers to protect from leaf miners and beet armyworms. Remove any damaged leaves quickly.

Harvest

  • Harvest roots when they are 2–3 inches in diameter for best flavor and texture.
  • Beet greens can be harvested earlier, starting when 4–6 inches tall.
  • Gently pull or loosen with a trowel. Don’t wait too long—older roots become woody.

Uses

  • Roots: Roast, boil, or shred raw into salads. Use in soups, pickles, or juices for their vibrant color and deep flavor.
  • Greens: Sauté, add to smoothies, or substitute for spinach or chard in most recipes.

How to Store

  • Short Term: Cut off greens (store separately), and refrigerate roots in a plastic bag for up to 3 weeks.
  • Greens: Use within 3 days. Wrap in damp towel and keep refrigerated.
  • Long Term: Beets store well in a cool cellar or fridge drawer. You can also pickle or roast and freeze them.