Leaf Beet Seeds - Bulls Blood Beet

200 Seeds.

Other Names - Spinach Beet, Chard…

This dual purpose beet produces stunning deep purple red leaves which are ideal for adding colour and an earthy beetroot flavour to salads. The leaves are best harvested young when they are tender and juicy. Bulls Blood Beet was bred primarily for its leaf production however it also produces a flavoursome deep red coloured beetroot. Harvest the leaves regularly and when the roots reach golf ball size they too can be eaten.

• A dual purpose beet producing tender beetroot flavoured leaves and a deep red coloured beetroot.
• Ideal for containers and beginners.
• Fast growing and relatively trouble free.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds, container garden, limited space

Sowing Months - Early March - early August

Harvest - Late April - December, March - May from an August sowing

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• Lettuce is a good companion plant to grow alongside beet as they do not compete with one another.
• Beet and onions grow well together.
• Dwarf French beans are great companion plants.
• Kohl rabi and beet are well matched.
• Comfrey leaves can be used to make a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer which is ideal for giving the roots a boost. It can also be used as a compost accelerator, a slug repellent and a nutritional mulch.

Soil Preperation

Add well rotted manure or compost a few months before sowing or planting (ideally the previous autumn). Add some general purpose organic fertilizer 1 - 2 weeks before sowing or planting and remove any weeds.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Bulls blood beet grows well in clumps of plants. Sow 2 - 3 seeds per 4 cm module. As soon as germination starts reduce the heat and move to a location with good daylight exposure, a windowsill or greenhouse is ideal. Keep the compost moist but avoid overwatering. At this stage room temperature is ideal, protect from frost.
2 - 4 weeks after germination (depending on speed of growth) plant out. Harden off over 7 - 10 days before planting out to reduce shock. Plant out at the distance suggested above. Firm the soil around each clump of plants and water well.

Direct Sowing

Sow 1 seed every 3 cm at the depth and row distance suggested above. Cover the seeds with soil and water well. When the seedlings are big enough to handle they may need to be thinned depending on your preference. For small sized plants ideal for baby leaf production do not thin the seedlings. For larger sized plants that produce a good sized root as well as leaves thin to around 10 - 15 cm apart. For very large plants thin to 30 cm apart.

Growing On

Weed regularly to remove any competing plants. Water well every 10 - 14 days in dry spells (more often if grown in containers). They will benefit from a mulch of compost to help keep the soil moist on hot sunny days. When the weather cools in autumn growth will gradually slow down. If the plants are grown outdoors and you wish to overwinter them, cover the plants in late autumn with a cloche to help prevent severe frosts killing the roots.
Light picking can be done up until early to mid December. The plants will not produce new leaves until early spring when light pickings can start again and as the growth becomes stronger so can the harvesting. In late spring the plants will naturally run to seed producing tall ornamental coloured stems and flowers.

Harvesting

Regular pickings will enable the plants to keep producing smaller juicy tender leaves. Harvest the outer leaves first, leaving the small young leaves in the middle to develop further for future pickings. Avoid tugging hard on the leaves when harvesting so not to disturb the roots. Use scissors or a sharp knife if preferred. Beet leaves will grow large if allowed to, they are still edible at this stage however they will be tougher than baby leaves and are best cooked like spinach.
By the end of the summer a good sized beetroot will have grown. For the best flavour harvest when around golf ball size. A beet plant, if regularly picked, can produce leaves for up to 10 months. Leaves can be stored in a polythene bag in the fridge for 4 - 5 days.