Table Beet
Selected about 100 years ago from the legendary Crosby Egyptian variety, Early Wonder Beet delivers the best of both worlds: tender, exceptionally sweet 3-4 inch deep-red globes in just 48 days, plus vigorous, lush greens that make it a standout choice for early season harvest. This dual-purpose variety thrives in full sun with minimal spacing, producing dense, flavorful roots while the abundant tops provide some of the finest beet greens you'll grow.
Full Sun
Moderate
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?in H x ?in W
Annual
Low
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Early Wonder shines as a true dual-purpose variety, offering both exceptionally sweet, deep-red roots and vigorous, lush greens that outperform most other beet varieties for early season harvests. Selected for its remarkable earliness and robust top growth, this variety delivers tender, flavorful globes in just 48 days while producing an abundance of nutritious greens perfect for multiple harvests. The dense, sweet roots develop their characteristic deep-red color and exceptional flavor quickly, making this an ideal choice for gardeners who want both roots and greens from a single planting.
Early Wonder excels as a dual-purpose crop, providing both sweet, tender roots perfect for roasting, pickling, or fresh eating, and abundant, lush greens that can be harvested young for salads or mature for sautéing and steaming. The exceptional sweetness of the deep-red globes makes them excellent for fresh preparations, while the vigorous tops offer some of the finest beet greens available, prized for their tender texture and rich flavor.
Not recommended, as root disturbance delays maturity and beets perform better with direct sowing.
Sow directly 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 45°F, ideally 60-85°F. For fall crops, sow 6 to 8 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In mild climates, sow from fall through winter for continuous harvests.
Harvest the sweet, deep-red globes when they reach 3-4 inches in diameter, typically 48 days from planting. The roots are ready when they feel firm and have developed their characteristic deep-red color. For dual-purpose harvesting, you can begin cutting the lush greens when young for tender salad additions, or allow them to mature for cooking while the roots continue developing.
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“Early Wonder Beet emerged about a century ago through careful selection from the celebrated Crosby Egyptian variety, chosen specifically for its earliness and exceptional top growth. This selective breeding created a variety that maintained the sweet, tender roots of its parent while dramatically improving the quantity and quality of the edible greens, transforming it into one of the finest dual-purpose beets available to home gardeners.”