Beet – Early Wonder Tall Top

Description

Early Wonder Tall Top Beet (A.K.A. Early Wonder, Boston Crosby, Nuttings Gem)

250 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 35 days baby leaf, 50–60 days beets

Sun Requirements: Full sun

Botanical Name: (Beta vulgaris)

Selected from Crosby’s Egyptian for its fast growth and strong tops, Early Wonder Tall Top was introduced in 1911 and quickly earned popularity with both home and market gardeners. Known for its reliability and early harvest, it has stood the test of time under several names, including Boston Crosby and Nuttings Gem.

A vigorous grower with glossy, maroon-veined tops reaching 12–18″, this beet sets deep red, slightly flattened globes that average 2–3″ in diameter. It thrives in early spring and fall plantings, with quick germination even in cool soils and excellent adaptability across a range of climates. The upright, attractive foliage makes it especially valuable for baby greens, microgreens, and bunching.

The roots roast beautifully, pickle well, and bring rich flavor to borscht and salads, while the tender greens shine sautéed or added fresh to salads. It stores well and holds both its tender texture and earthy-sweet flavor well after harvest, making it an excellent choice for hearty winter dishes.

Rich in vitamins A and C, iron, and potassium, it’s a healthy and flavorful addition to any garden!

Disease Resistance: Excellent foliar disease resistanc

Planting Instructions for Early Wonder Tall Top Beet Seeds

When to Plant:
Sow Early Wonder Tall Top beet seeds outdoors in early spring, about 3 weeks before your last expected frost date, as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall crop, plant seeds 10 to 12 weeks before your first fall frost. In regions with mild winters, Early Wonder Tall Top beets can also be grown during the cool season. Continue planting in succession every 1–2 weeks until late spring and again starting in late summer to extend your harvest.

Where to Plant:
Early Wonder Tall Top beets prefer full sun and loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Avoid planting in heavy clay soil unless amended with compost or other organic matter. Raised beds and deep containers (at least 12″) are excellent options for improved drainage and root development. Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

How to Sow Seeds:
Soak Early Wonder Tall Top beet seeds in room-temperature water for 1 to 12 hours before planting to speed germination. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 1–2 inches apart in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. Each seed is actually a cluster and may sprout multiple seedlings. Once seedlings are 3–4 inches tall, thin them to 2–4 inches apart. Thinned greens are edible and nutritious.

Growing:
Keep soil consistently moist during germination, which usually takes 7 to 20 days. Water daily or as needed to maintain surface moisture. Once plants are established, provide about 1 inch of water per week. Mulch with straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and protect the beet shoulders from sun exposure. Hill compost around young seedlings to support growth and provide steady nutrition.

Care Tips:
Weed regularly, especially while plants are young. Avoid disturbing the roots when weeding or thinning. Early Wonder Tall Top beets benefit from low-nitrogen, phosphorus-rich fertilizers. Apply compost or a balanced organic fertilizer (such as 5-10-10) at planting and again after 4 weeks. Use floating row covers to protect young plants from pests like flea beetles and leaf miners. Rotate crops annually to prevent disease buildup in soil.

Harvesting:
Early Wonder Tall Top beet greens can be harvested as needed once they are 4 to 6 inches tall—take no more than 1 or 2 leaves per plant to avoid slowing root growth. Early Wonder Tall Top beets are ready for harvest about 50 to 60 days after planting, when the roots reach 1–3 inches in diameter. Water the soil the night before, then gently lift roots using a trowel or by hand. Trim off greens, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached to reduce bleeding.

Storage:
Brush off excess dirt—don’t wash until ready to use. For short-term storage, store Early Wonder Tall Top beet roots in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For long-term storage, place unwashed roots in a container with moist sand in a cool, dark location.

Seed Saving:
Early Wonder Tall Top beets don’t produce seed until their second year of growth. To save seed, you’ll need to keep healthy, mature roots from your harvest and store them over winter in a cool, humid place. In early spring, replant those roots in the garden, spacing them well apart. They will grow flower stalks and produce seeds by midsummer. Early Wonder Tall Top beets cross easily with Swiss chard, so isolate flowering plants by at least 1–3 miles for pure seed.

Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place—ideally kept around 59°F (15°C) with relative humidity levels between 40% and 60%. Avoid locations where temperatures rise above 68°F (20°C) or drop below 33°F (1°C). Properly stored, Early Wonder Tall Top beet seeds can remain viable for 2 to 5 years. We also offer Seed Saving Envelopes to help keep your harvested seeds neat and organized.

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