Chioggia, Beet Seeds

Chioggia Beet Seed

Candy-striped Italian beets reveal red-and-white rings when sliced
Tender roots offer a mild, notably sweet flavor
This historic Chioggia variety matures around 55 days
Serve raw to showcase rings or roast gently

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Beta vulgaris

Days to maturity

55 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

200 Seeds

About Chioggia, Beet Seed, Beet Seed

Chioggia beets, also known as Candy Cane or Bull's Eye beets, are a unique and visually striking variety of beets that originated in Italy. Their history dates back to the early 19th century when they were first cultivated in the coastal town of Chioggia, near Venice. These beets are renowned for their vibrant and eye-catching appearance, characterized by concentric rings of alternating red and white colors, reminiscent of a candy cane. This distinct coloration makes them a popular choice among gardeners and chefs for their ornamental and culinary appeal.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

5–14 days

In-row plant spacing

3-4"

Row Spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Maturity

Spring, Fall

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

1,750

Color

Red, White

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

Loosen the bed deeply and remove stones so beet roots can expand without forking. Incorporate mature compost, correct acidic soil if testing indicates, and avoid fresh manure or compacted crusts.

Planting

Direct sow beets from early spring while conditions are cool, then repeat at intervals for a continuing harvest. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until emergence; each corky seedball may produce more than one seedling. Thin promptly after the first true leaves appear, cutting extras when roots are crowded, and leave the final distance shown in the spacing field.

Watering

Keep the upper root zone consistently moist from germination onward. Irregular watering produces tough roots and growth cracks; use mulch after seedlings establish and avoid saturating poorly drained beds.

Fertilizer

Base amendments on a soil test. Beets respond to modest nitrogen and adequate phosphorus and potassium, but excess nitrogen favors tops; address boron only when deficiency is confirmed because excess is toxic.

Harvesting

Pull beets when exposed shoulders reach the variety’s expected diameter and roots show full color. Loosen soil first to avoid breakage. Greens may be clipped earlier, leaving enough foliage for continued root growth.

Tips

Each seedball may produce several seedlings, so thin early and use the tender removals as greens. Sow short rows every few weeks, and harvest roots before heat makes them woody.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1M/66', 5M/333', 436M/acre at 15 seeds/ft. and 18" between rows.

Pests & Diseases

Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew, damping-off or root rot, and curly top virus can affect beets. Purple-edged tan spots, fuzzy growth beneath leaves, collapsing seedlings, or curled yellow foliage require attention. Rotate beets and chard, use clean seed, thin for airflow, avoid overhead irrigation, control leafhopper vectors, and remove diseased residue.

Root maggots, wireworms, nematodes, flea beetles, and rodents may damage beet. Rotate planting sites, use insect netting early, control weeds, and remove roots promptly when tunneling appears.