Table Beet
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Ruby Queen Beet earned its royal status as the 1957 All American Selections winner, reigning over gardens from zones 2-11 with remarkable adaptability. This benevolent ruler of the ruby red beet kingdom produces uniform, globe-shaped roots with a tendency toward slight hips, reaching maturity in just 55 days. Hardy enough to withstand near-freezing temperatures, Ruby Queen thrives even in poor soils where other varieties struggle. The dark green leaves with distinctive maroon edges create an attractive dual-purpose crop, offering both tender greens and sweet, mild roots that retain their vibrant color through processing.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
24in H x 8in W
Annual
Moderate
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Ruby Queen stands apart as an exceptionally reliable beet that performs where others falter, thriving in poor soils and variable conditions while producing consistently uniform, smooth globes. The variety's dual nature shines through its tender early greens with striking maroon edges and sweet, mild roots that hold their texture beautifully when canned or pickled. Its hardy constitution allows for extended growing seasons, from early spring plantings that can survive near-freezing temperatures to late fall harvests that can remain in the ground until soil temperatures drop below 25°F.
Ruby Queen serves double duty in the kitchen, with tender young greens harvested at 3-4 inches tall for fresh salads or cooking, while the roots excel in everything from fresh preparations to long-term preservation. The smooth, ringless roots are particularly prized for canning and pickling, retaining their shocking ruby red color and firm texture through processing. Fresh roots can be roasted, added to salads for their earthy sweetness, or juiced for their heart-healthy compounds, while the nutritious greens provide high amounts of fiber, calcium, vitamin A, and potassium.
Direct sow seeds half an inch deep starting 1-2 weeks before the last frost, as transplantation can damage the taproot and bulb development. Apply slow-release fertilizer at planting and water seeds heavily to ensure good germination.
Begin harvesting tender beet greens when they reach 3-4 inches tall for the best flavor and texture. Roots can be harvested at any desired size, with smaller beets being more tender and larger ones developing a more pronounced earthy flavor. The variety is typically harvested when bulbs reach 3-4 inches in diameter for the perfect balance of tenderness and flavor. In temperate climates, beets can remain in the ground through November and even winter under a protective layer of straw, as long as soil temperatures stay above 25°F.
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“Ruby Queen claimed its place in American gardens when it received the prestigious All American Selections award in 1957, recognizing its superior performance across diverse growing conditions. This heirloom, open-pollinated variety has been carefully maintained by seed savers who appreciated its reliability and adaptability, ensuring that home gardeners today can still grow the same award-winning beet that impressed judges over six decades ago.”