Heirloom dating back to 1900's & originally grown for its attractive leaves.  Attractive, deep-red foliage displaying a dark red root & internal rings with colour & flavour intensifying as it matures.  Excellent variety for 'baby beets' and its dark leaves for use in salads.  The dark red juice is also widely used as a red food colouring.  Selected by Kees Sahin in the Netherlands from the French variety 'Crapaudine' for its darker coloured leaves.  35-65 days.  220 seeds

HISTORY:  Beetroot has been cultivated since early Greece & Rome, when white beets shared equal popularity with red.  Early beetroot were long & carrot like in appearance with the round beetroot only becoming popular during the late 19th & 20th century.

Heirloom, first introduced in the mid 1840's and originating from Italy.  Nicknamed the 'Candycane Beet'.  Slightly flattened root with dark red outer skin and alternating pink & white rings inside.  Does not 'bleed' like other varieties.  Quick growing; tolerates heat & drought well.  Excellent sweet flavour even when mature.  Good for using fresh, cooked or pickled.  Good for cool areas.  50-65 days.  400 seeds

DID YOU KNOW:  Each beetroot seed is actually a cluster of embryo's that can produce potentially from 3-5 plants.  This could be the reason for a number of plants appearing in the one spot.