Grandpa and the Beet Harvest

This year's beet crop was fantastic. We grow our beets along the front edge of our garden wall. There is very little soil in this location. We have about 4-6 inches of soil before the plants hit the art stone block shown in the image. Radiant heat from the block dries out the soil very fast and without Grandpa, the plants would surly die a drought stricken death. Grandpa gave all his beets plenty of water and conversation.

Here grandpa is picking one of our large Detroit Red beets. We bought our seeds from Cooks nursery of Geneva road.

The genetic makeup of the seeds we purchased were very different. We had very red, pink and white beets. Not only the color but skin and flesh texture was very diverse.

Grandpa holds one of our fine beets. The greens are superb .

Some eat beets raw but as for me I prefer them cooked. Grandpa is tempted to take a big bite from this beet root but at the last minute he pulled back and decided to pickle them for dinner.

I want to grow the largest Detroit beet in the World. Yes you heard it first on our humble little blog. We kept a few of the larger red, pink and white beets and will let them seed this summer. By selectively breeding with our diverse gene pool we should destroy the competition.

Thanks again Grandpa for a wonderful season. I look forward to growing the big one with you next year. For all you beet fans... I challenge you, I scoff at your attempt to beat my father. Grandpa and Grandma have been growing beets for years and their collective experiences with this beloved root crop cannot be matched. Bring it on..... We have two different beet competitions next year.

1. Grow the biggest Detroit Red Beet
2. Grow the biggest Beet. You may not grow Sugar Beets, this would be illegal and against the BBCR (Big Beet Competition Rules).