Days to Maturity: 75; 60 for baby beets

Talk about value for money! Merlin Hybrid sets amazing yields of delectable roots, whether you grow them as gourmet baby veggies or full-sized beets. Solid burgundy, round and smooth, they have an excellent texture to match their rich, full-bodied flavor.

Even the tops are delicious on this beet. Crimson stems, about 15 to 17 inches high at maturity, support bright green leaves that keep their color even when cooked. Pick them one by one as the roots grow, or harvest all at once with the beets.

But the star is the root itself. Baby beets are ready in just 2 months, succulent and toothsome. Give the roots another 2 weeks or so of growing time, and they are round, heavy, red to the center. and packed with sugars, suitable for eating fresh or canning. Merlin is versatile and always top quality.

Part of Merlin's exceptional performance comes from the disease resistance package offered by its plants. Leafspot and downy mildew are no issue for this beet, and the plant stands up well to bolting in early summer heat. You get bigger yields because nearly every seed is successful with Merlin.

Beets are a cool-weather crop, suitable for spring, fall, and even winter in very mild climates. They tolerate a bit of frost without damage. Direct-sow the seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, or in late summer to early fall.

Bush beans, lettuce, and onions are good companions in the vegetable garden, as are all the Brassica family, from broccoli and cabbage to kohlrabi and cauliflower. And if you do not care for the flavor of beet greens, be sure to chop them and plow them back into the soil, where they add valuable nutrients that will enhance next year's crops.

If you want to grow both baby beets and mature roots from the same planting, sow the seeds about 4 inches apart. Then "thin" the young plants by gently pulling every other one about 60 days from planting. You will have a fine crop of baby beets, with the remaining plants still growing to maturity. On the other hand, if you just want mature beets, sow the seeds about 6 to 9 inches apart. Beets love full sun.

Pkt of 200 seeds