Table Beet
Merlin Beet stands out as an exceptionally smooth, uniform, and sweet F1 hybrid that delivers mature roots in just 48 days from seed. This remarkable beet thrives in full sun with consistent moisture, producing tender, sweet roots that contain high levels of glycine betaine, a heart-healthy compound that fights plaque formation in arteries. While spacing recommendations vary from 1 to 8 inches apart depending on growing method, Merlin's quick maturity and superior uniformity make it a standout choice for both fresh eating and storage.
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What sets Merlin apart is its exceptional smoothness and uniformity combined with lightning-fast 48-day maturity. This F1 hybrid produces consistently sweet roots while offering the added benefit of nutritious greens rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and vitamin A. The variety's reliability and heart-healthy glycine betaine content make it doubly valuable, providing both culinary excellence and significant nutritional benefits that support cardiovascular health.
Merlin beets serve dual purposes in the kitchen, with both the sweet, tender roots and nutrient-rich greens finding their way to the table. The roots excel in fresh preparations when harvested small and tender, while larger roots maintain their quality for cooking and storage. The fiber-rich greens work beautifully as pot greens or fresh in salads when harvested young, though they should be picked before reaching 6 inches to avoid toughness.
Start seeds indoors 5-6 weeks before the last heavy frost, sowing 1/2 inch deep with 2-3 seeds per cell in 72 or 128-cell flats. Keep soil evenly moist during the 5-10 day germination period.
Transplant seedlings 3 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart after heavy frosts become infrequent. Handle transplants gently as beet taproots are sensitive to disturbance, which can cause stunted growth or misshapen roots.
Direct sow seeds when soil temperatures reach 50°F, covering with sifted compost, loose soil, or vermiculite. Keep seedbed evenly moist and consider using row cover for protection when soil temperatures are cool.
Harvest roots when they reach your desired size, keeping in mind that small roots are more tender while large roots may become woody if left too long. Loosen soil around the root and pull gently to avoid damage. For greens, harvest one to two mature leaves per plant while leaving several leaves to enable continued root development, picking before leaves exceed 6 inches to avoid toughness.
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