Early Wonder Tall Top beets, also known as "Early Wonder Tall Top Globe Beet," is a heirloom vegetable that has a rich history and deep roots in the gardening world. This variety of beet was first introduced in the early 1800s by James John Howard, a horticulturist from England. Heirloom varieties like Early Wonder Tall Top beets are open-pollinated and passed down through generations, preserving the genetic diversity of the plant.
The Early Wonder Tall Top beet is a unique variety of beet that is known for its large, globe-shaped roots and tall, leafy greens. The roots average 2-3 inches in diameter, and the greens can grow up to 12 inches tall. This variety was developed to be an early maturing beet, making it perfect for harvest before the root gets too large. The greens are also edible and can be used in salads, soups, and stir-fries.
This variety of beets is known for its sweet, earthy flavor, making it a popular choice for use in a wide variety of dishes. They are also a great source of nutrients, including folate, potassium, and antioxidants. The roots can be eaten raw or cooked, and the greens are also edible.
The Early Wonder Tall Top beets were very popular among gardeners and farmers in the 1800s and early 1900s, but as commercial farming and hybridization became more prevalent, heirloom varieties like this one became less common. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in heirloom vegetables, and Early Wonder Tall Top beets have seen a resurgence in popularity among home gardeners and small farmers.
In conclusion, Early Wonder Tall Top beets is a heirloom vegetable that has a rich history and deep roots in the gardening world. It was first introduced in the early 1800s by James John Howard, a horticulturist from England. This variety is known for its large, globe-shaped roots, tall, leafy greens, sweet, earthy flavor and easy to grow. They are a perfect vegetable for early harvest and the greens are also edible. Heirloom varieties like Early Wonder Tall Top beets are open-pollinated and passed down through generations, preserving the genetic diversity of the plant. It's a great option for any gardener or chef looking to add some sweet, earthy flavor to their garden or kitchen.
Planting
- It is recommended to sow beets directly in the garden so that you don’t have to disturb their roots, though beets generally tolerate being transplanted while still young. Start sowing beets in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable.
- Successive plantings are possible as long as daytime temperatures don’t exceed 75°F. Plant every 2 to 3 weeks until about mid-summer timeframe.
- Understand each wrinkle seed actually contains a cluster of about 2 to 4 seeds, so you will need to thin the young plants to 3 to 4 inches apart. Tip:When thinning, don’t pull up the plants, as you may accidentally disturb the roots of the beets. Instead, just snip off the greens.
- Germination is quickly when the soil temperature is warmer (at least 50°F). Tip:To speed up germination, or when planting in areas with low moisture and rainfall, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting.
- Beets are not picky, they can be planted in a location which receives full sun / partial shade.
- Soil should be well prepare, free of rocks to allow develop the bulb properly.
- Caution: when fertilizing make sure the nitrogen is low. Excess nitrogen causes an abundance of leaves (greens) growth and left with small bulbs.
Care
- Thinning is necessary, as you may get more than one seedling out of each seed. When the tops are a 4 to 5 inches tall, thin seedlings to 3 to 4 inches apart. Pinch or cut off the leaves. Pulling them out of the ground may disturb the roots of nearby seedlings.
- Mulch and then water regularly with about 1 inch per week. Beets need to maintain plenty of moisture.
- Weed as needed but be gentle; beets have shallow roots that are easily disturbed.
Common Growing Problems
- Seedlings fail to emerge:Beet seed fail to germinate when the temperatures are high. Mulching keeps bed evenly moist and cooler to encourage seedlings emerge.
- Collapsed seedlings with dark water-soaked stems as soon as emerge: Also called Seeds Rot,this is a fungus that thrives in high humid very moist/soggy soil. Make sure soil is well drained.
- Seedlings are eaten off as soon as they emerge:Presence of cutworms, they chew stems, roots, and leaves. Keep the garden free of weeds.
- Yellowish curled leaves: Possibly shows the presence of Aphids, they are tiny, oval, and yellowish to greenish pear-shaped insects that colonize on the undersides of leaves. They leave behind sticky excrement called honeydew which can turn into a black sooty mold. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to eliminate them.
- Tiny shot-holes in leaves: Flea beetles are tiny bronze or black beetle a sixteenth of an inch long. They eat small holes in the leaves of seedlings and small transplants. The larvae feed on roots of germinating plants. Spread diatomaceous earth around seedling.
- Small Irregular holes in the leaves.Cabbage looper is a light green caterpillar with yellow stripes running down the back; it loops as it walks. Keep garden clean of debris where adult brownish night-flying moth can lay eggs. Cover plants with spun polyester to exclude moths. Pick loopers off by hand.
- Partially eaten leaves; leaves webbed together:Garden webworms are green with a light stripe about 3/4 inches long; the webworm is the larvae of a brownish yellow moth with gray markings. Clip off & destroy webbed leaves.
- Eaten leaves with Trails of silver slime:Snails and slugs feed on leaves. Reduce hiding places by keeping garden free of debris. Handpick from under boards set in garden as shelter-traps. Crushed egg shells helps naturally eliminates them.
- Trails and tunnels in leaves.The leafminer larvae tunnel inside leaves. Destroy infected leaves and cultivate the garden to destroy larvae and keep adult flies from laying eggs.
