Like many other horticultural crops, beets by maturity are divided into three groups: early, mid-ripening and late. If you need beets for storage for the winter, the second and third groups are suitable for this. Due to its characteristics, early beets are poorly preserved, but the good thing is that you can feast on it already at the end of summer.
There are not so many beet varieties, and they differ greatly in shape: spherical, cylindrical, flattened, elongated. For some reason, most gardeners prefer the spherical shape, although all other species are completely inferior to her taste.
Choosing the best beet varieties for planting, it is worth focusing on the domestic producer - root crops - “foreigners” are somewhat inferior in taste and yield to their native varieties. In addition, not all foreign beet varieties can grow fully in the difficult climatic conditions of Russia.
10. Red ball
One of the best beet varieties - "Red ball". This is an ultra-early variety ripening in late September. Root crops of medium size, weighing up to 250 grams, are rounded and even. The flesh of the "Red Ball" is tender and juicy, dark red. Rings are practically absent. The variety is famous for its high productivity, good commercial qualities, friendly return of the crop. Root crops are not bad. The "Red Ball" is drought-resistant and cold-resistant, but with a significant lack of heat, its productivity decreases. The variety is recommended for use in home cooking and all types of processing.
It is interesting: beet homeland - India and the Far East.
9. Cold resistant 19
The list of the best beet varieties continues "Cold resistant 19". This is a mid-early variety. Harvest can be harvested at the end of August. Root crops of medium size, weighing up to 220 grams, smooth, rounded flat. The pulp is of excellent taste, tender and juicy. Root crops can be used for almost everything: in home cooking, for winter storage and processing.
Grade advantages: excellent cold resistance, stable and high yield, resistance to flowering.
It is interesting: in ancient Babylon, beets were used as a medicine.
8. Detroit
The best beet varieties include "Detroit". This is one of the most popular and common mid-season beet varieties. Root crops of medium size, weighing up to 250 grams, rounded, without rings, thick red, with smooth skin and the same size. The advantages of this variety include good yield, the same size of root crops, excellent marketability and good keeping quality. The fruits are used both in home cooking and for processing and storage for the winter.
7. Mulatto
"Mulatto" - one of the best new mid-season beet varieties. One of the advantages of "Mulatto" is the preservation of the color of the pulp during heat treatment. 120 days after planting, you can harvest. The root crops of the “Mulatto” are classic for beets rounded in shape, a beautiful maroon color. The weight of the fruit can reach 350 grams. The variety is appreciated for its excellent taste and good yield.
It is interesting: sugar beets appeared in the middle of the XVIII century as a result of intensive work of breeders.
6. Cylinder
Continues the list of the best beet varieties Cylinder. This mid-late variety was named for the shape of root crops — they are cylindrical, up to 9 cm in diameter, weighing 190-250 grams and up to 16 cm long. “Cylinders” are a good example of the fact that beet root crops of other shapes, not only spherical, have high flavoring qualities. The beet pulp of this variety is sweet and juicy, rich red. Gardeners note that the flesh of the Cylinder is softer than other varieties. It can be eaten raw, and thanks to the elongated form, the root crop is convenient to rub.
The advantages of the variety include high productivity, excellent taste and good keeping quality. The Cylinder is resistant to almost all diseases.
It is interesting: first, people ate exclusively beet leaves, and root crops were used for medicinal purposes.
5. Winter A-474
Beet variety “Winter A-474” with a "talking" name is better suited than others for winter sowing. The crop is ready 55 days after emergence. You can sow it in the spring, but in this case, the ripening period is extended to 100 days. The root crops of the variety Podzimnaya almost do not differ from such varieties as the Mulatto and the Cold Resistant. They are flat-rounded with a slightly rough skin. The pulp is dark red, juicy, sweet and tasty.
Advantages of the variety: high productivity, excellent taste, the possibility of winter sowing and obtaining early harvest, resistance to flowering.
It is interesting: Of all the peoples of the world in ancient times, beets were most revered in Greece. The Greeks brought root crops as a gift to the god Apollo.
4. Single sprout
One-sprout - One of the best early ripe beet varieties. Harvest ripens in 80 days. Root crops will delight lovers of the traditional form of beets - round, with a skin of saturated dark red color. They are quite large - their weight can reach 600 grams.
In addition to a good yield and weight of root crops, the variety is good in that there is one seed in the fruit, so the seedlings practically do not need thinning.
It is interesting: Beets have many beneficial properties, and one of them is the cleansing of the body of toxins.
3. Egyptian
Among the best beet varieties Egyptian. This is one of the early varieties popular among gardeners. Harvest ripens 120 days after sowing. Root crops have a flattened shape, their weight reaches 400 grams. The pulp is sweet and juicy, rich red-violet.
The Egyptian beet variety is valued for its high yield, resistance to drought and flowering, excellent taste and good keeping quality. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the fact that the variety is susceptible to defeat by cercosporosis.
It is interesting: beets have one feature - when cooking, they practically do not lose their beneficial properties, like other vegetables.
2. Bohemia
"Bohemia" - one of the medium-ripening beet varieties popular among gardeners. Harvest ripens in 80 days from the appearance of seedlings. Root crops are round, claret color. The pulp is soft, juicy and tasty, without rings. With proper care, Bohemia root crops reach a weight of 500 grams.
The variety has many advantages. “Bohemia” is resistant to many diseases and pests, is not susceptible to shooting, does not need frequent thinning. Excellent taste and good keeping quality make Bohemia one of the best beet varieties.
It is interesting: beets have their own record holder - in 2001 the heaviest beets were grown in the British county. Her weight was more than 23 kg.
1. Vinaigrette Marmalade
"Vinaigrette Marmalade" - A popular drought tolerant beet variety. Root crops are round and rounded flat, weighing up to 500 grams. The pulp is sugary, dense, intense red. With proper cultivation, “Vinaigrette Marmalade” retains its excellent taste for a long time, which is highly appreciated by gardeners.
It is interesting: beets are cultivated everywhere, even in the Far North.