Beet – Ruby Queen

Description

250 Seeds per pack

Ruby Queen Beet

Days to Maturity: 52-60 Days

Sun Requirements: Full sun

Botanical Name: (Beta vulgaris)

Best Seller!

A 1957 All-American Selections Winner, the Ruby Queen Beet is a classic heirloom known for its smooth texture, deep red hue, and exceptional flavor. First introduced in the 1950s, this variety quickly became a favorite among home gardeners, market growers, and the canning industry alike. Its tender, buttery flavor and reliable performance make it a standout in gardens across the U.S.

Ruby Queen beets are globe shaped, measuring 2-3 inches in diameter, with smooth, ringless skin and a rich, uniform dark red interior that retains its color beautifully when canned or pickled. The tops are a manageable 10-12 inches tall, featuring dull green leaves with subtle maroon veining, adding a touch of beauty to the garden.

Ruby Queen is an early-maturing beet that grows well even in poor soil conditions. It holds its round shape nicely, even when planted close together, making it a good choice for tight garden spaces. This dependable variety prefers cooler weather and does best when planted in early spring for a summer harvest, or in late summer for a bountiful fall crop.

With a sweet, earthy flavor and smooth, buttery texture, this variety is a delight whether eaten fresh, roasted, or added to soups. Its even texture and vibrant color make it an excellent choice for canning and pickling, where it ability to hold both its distinctive appearance and rich flavor stands out.

Ruby Queen beets are full of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.

Planting Instructions for Ruby Queen Beet Seeds

When to Plant:
Sow Ruby Queen 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, Ruby Queen 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:
Ruby Queen 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 Ruby Queen 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. Ruby Queen 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:
Ruby Queen 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. Ruby Queen beets are ready for harvest about 52 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 Ruby Queen 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:
Ruby Queen 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. Ruby Queen 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, Ruby Queen 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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