How to Grow the Mangel Beet
The beet (Beta vulgaris) is a plant that growers cultivate as both a root vegetable and leaf vegetable. The Crassa variety of the beet has common names such as mangelwurzel or mangel beet. This type of beet is a root vegetable that can grow to 60 lbs., although many cultivars of mangel beets are much smaller. Mangel beets are annual plants that grow readily from seed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Buy mangel beet seeds from a commercial seed provider. Most private gardeners grow cultivars that produce smaller plants. Mangel beets store their seeds in a structure called a calyx, which contains two to five seeds.
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Find a planting site in full sun. Mangel beets may benefit from some afternoon shade in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8b and higher. This plant can tolerate a range of soil types and can grow well in poor soil.
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Plant mangel beets in the spring if you are in USDA zone 8a or below. Plant them in early winter if you are in USDA zone 8b or up. Plant the calyx at a depth of 1/2 inch and cover it with soil. Space the calyxes at least one inch apart.
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Water mangel beets before the soil dries out completely during the growing season. Keep the moisture content in the soil relatively constant to prevent the beet roots from cracking. Mangel beets can grow well without fertilizer.
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Thin out the weaker mangel beet plants to achieve a final spacing of four to eight inches between plants. Mangel beets require at least 63 days to fully mature and are suitable for harvest for 28 days after they reach full maturity.
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