Upper Valley Seed Savers

Beet Project Description

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Date/Season:  2016 and 2017 growing seasons

Crop/Species:  Beet (Beta vulgaris)

Varieties: Chioggia, Bordo, Crosby’s Egyptian (all from Baker Creek), Feuer Kugel (2015 seed from Solstice Seeds), Paonazza  D’Egitto (from Pine Tree)

Project Type:  Variety trials in year 1, Maintenance/Increase in year 2

Project Description/Goals:  In year one we will evaluate the varieties for flavor, days to maturity, potential for succession planting, storage quality, methods for overwintering, and anything else we have time to pay attention to. In year 2 we will grow surviving candidates to seed and evaluate the different varieties accordingly.

Project Participants:  

               Brian Stroffolino  Phone: 436-9521   Email: bstroffolino@gmail.com

                               Sylvia Davatz      Phone  436-3262   Email: sdav@valley.net

                               Ruth Fleishman   Phone  295-6546   Email: ruthfleishman7@gmail.com

Brian and Sylvia will grow most of the varieties in year 1, Ruth will grow whatever varieties she has space and time for in year 1, and Ruth will help with providing isolation space for growing seed in year 2.

Project Site Descriptions:  Will be provided by the participants.

Volunteer/Resource Needs:  Anyone interested in helping with the project should contact us. We might need additional isolation space for seed growout in 2016. Garden space for at least 10 to 15 plants spaced 1.5-2 feet apart would be needed.

Project Report:

Part 1 to be provided at the end of year 1 (2016) - flavor, days to maturity, potential for succession planting, etc.

Part 2 to be provided in the spring of year 2 (2017) - storage quality and methods used for overwintering

Part 3 to be provided at the end of year 2 (2017) - seed production

     Bordo - Sylvia gave Ruth 24 overwintered Bordo beets of very varied size to grow out for seed. Ruth planted them on April 23 about 16" apart. I think one didn't make it. Staked and tied them as they grew to keep from falling down and to separate the tangly branches.  Excellent seed crop harvested by Sylvia and Brian on August __ and  __, 2017.

Format adapted from Hilltown Seed Saving Network website