Beetroot “Chioggia” Seeds – “Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris ‘Chioggia'”

🌀 Beetroot ‘Chioggia’ – A vintage beauty with a candy-striped surprise!
Add some old-world charm and edible art to your garden with Beetroot ‘Chioggia’ – a stunning Italian heirloom dating back to the 1800s. With its bright red skin and concentric pink-and-white rings inside, it’s often called Candy Stripe or Bull’s Eye. Milder and sweeter than standard red beets, Chioggia is beloved by chefs and market growers for its striking looks and delicate flavour.

🌱 How to Grow:

Sowing Time:
Autumn to spring (March–August) in mild climates
Sow in succession every 3–4 weeks for a continuous harvest

Germination:
5–12 days at 10–25°C
Soak seeds for a few hours before sowing to speed up germination.
Sow directly into beds, 1–2 cm deep and 5–10 cm apart.

Transplanting:
Not recommended — beets dislike root disturbance. Always direct sow if possible.

🌞 Position:

Full sun to light shade — sun promotes good root development and colour

🪨 Soil:

Loose, fertile, and well-drained with plenty of compost
pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5–7.5)
Avoid fresh manure or heavy, compacted soils

💧 Watering:

Regular and even — do not let soil dry out or become waterlogged
Water stress can cause woody roots or uneven rings

🌼 Harvest Time:

45–60 days from sowing
Harvest when roots are 5–7 cm across for best texture and flavour
Young leaves are also delicious in salads or cooked

📏 Height & Spread:

25–30 cm tall
10–15 cm wide
Compact plants that fit beautifully into raised beds or small-space gardens

🌿 Top Tips:

✔️ Sow in rows or clusters and thin seedlings early
✔️ Harvest before roots get too large and woody
✔️ Try raw in thin slices to show off the rings (they fade when cooked)
✔️ Use baby leaves in salads — tender and tasty!
✔️ Store in a cool place with tops removed to extend shelf life

🐝 Pollinator Friendly:

Not especially, but great in mixed veg plantings and doesn’t require pollination for root development

🎨 Why Grow Chioggia?

✔️ Heirloom variety with authentic Italian origins
✔️ Visually stunning — red and white bullseye rings inside
✔️ Milder, sweeter flavour than regular beets
✔️ Popular with chefs, food stylists, and artisanal markets
✔️ Great raw, roasted, or pickled

Bring a splash of edible art to your plate and your garden!
Beetroot ‘Chioggia’ is a true conversation piece — beautiful, delicious, and full of old-world charm. 🌱🇮🇹💫