Beetroot Tonda di Chioggia [Beta vulgaris]

The biennial beetroot 'Tonda di Chioggia' is a traditional Italian light red variety with white rings in the flesh. A speciality for juicing or for raw consumption with a particularly pleasant, delicate, sweet taste. Ideal for pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing all year round, good for mixed cultivation, harvesting of the roots.

 Description 
The beetroot 'Tonda di Chioggia' is a two-year-old, old and traditional Italian variety from the city of Chioggia in Veneto. This fast-growing and robust variety originated from the white beetroot and was cultivated in Italy long before the well-known beetroot. In addition to light green leaves, the root tubers form a light red skin with light red and white striped juicy flesh. A speciality with a particularly pleasant, delicate, sweet taste. Excellent as a raw food, for juicing or in a smoothie. For year-round cultivation.

 General information 
Plant family: Amaranthaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 85 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -5°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 18-22 °C
Germination time: 7-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 15x30 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 5-6 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Savory, Dill, Cucumber, Garlic, Cabbage, Parsnip, Broad bean, Onion
Unfavorable mixed culture: Potatoes, Leeks, Corn, Chard, Spinach

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is possible all year round. Pre-cultivation is recommended. The plants are ideally placed in a sunny or partially shaded location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is possible from March to August. Pre-cultivation is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow until the first visible beet leaves appear, then transplant them into the desired container. After transplanting, let the seedlings grow at moderate temperatures until they are ready to be planted out as seedlings. Plant the seedlings in the bed from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Beetroot 'Tonda di Chioggia' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a staggered harvest, several sowings at intervals of 4 weeks are recommended. Heat-resistant, bolt-resistant, germinates successfully even in warm temperatures. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich soil and mixed planting are sufficient for beets. No fertilization is necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Beta vulgaris
English names: Beetroot, Red beet, Garden beet, Table beet
German names: Bete, Rande, Rübe
Portuguese names: Beterraba, Raiz de beterraba
Spanish names: Betabel, Betarava, Betarraga, Betaraba
French names: Betterave, Betterave rouge

 Origin 
Country: Portugal