Crosby Egyptian, Beet Seeds

Crosby Egyptian Beet Seed

Early heirloom beets form distinctive flattened, dark-red roots
A longstanding market favorite for bunching and table use
Cool-season plants maintain useful shape into autumn
Both flavorful roots and leafy tops are edible

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Beta vulgaris

Days to maturity

58 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

200 Seeds

About Crosby Egyptian, Beet Seed, Beet Seed

The Crosby Egyptian Beet, a classic heirloom variety, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Originating in Egypt, it was introduced to the United States in the 1860s and quickly gained popularity among gardeners and farmers. This beet variety has stood the test of time due to its exceptional taste and versatility in the kitchen.

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

1,500

Color

Red

Seed Type

Heirloom

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.