Red beet ‘Red Ace’

* Common name: Red beet ‘Red Ace’

* Botanical name: Beta vulgaris ‘Red Ace’

* What it is: An edible root crop that develops egg-sized roots of deep burgundy-purple. Direct-seed in the garden in mid-April for early July harvest (about 75 days). Green leaves with purple veining are attractive and edible as well.

* Size: Foliage grows 8-10 inches tall. Edible roots approximately 3-4 inches in diameter.

* Where to use: Vegetable garden or pots. Full sun.

* Care: Seed directly every 2 weeks from early April through mid-May for staggered harvest in summer. Replanting can be done mid to late August for a fall harvest. Work compost and slow-release balanced organic fertilizer into the soil at planting. Scatter one or two booster doses of fertilizer during the season and keep the soil consistently damp. Harvest baby beets as soon as you’d like or mature ones when the size stops expanding (you’ll be able to see the “shoulders” of the forming roots). Biggest threat is rabbits and groundhogs.

* Great partner: Carrots (which also can be direct-seeded at the same times).