Chioggia Beet
Chioggia Beet is a heirloom root vegetable variety (Beta vulgaris). Harvest begins around day 55; seed germinates in 7-14 days. Set plants 3-4 inches apart. Grow in soil pH 6.0-7.5, zones 2-10, full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum). Plants reach 10-12 inches. It will crop in a container.

Sowing
Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Plant seeds ½ inch deep in rows 12 inches apart. Thin when seedlings are 3 inches tall.
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum)
- Water
- 1 inch per week, even moisture prevents white ring loss
- Soil
- Well-drained loam with organic matter, avoid fresh manure
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.5
- Spacing
- 3-4 inches
- Height
- 10-12 inches
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Red and white concentric rings (candy cane striped)
- Size
- 2-3 inches diameter
- Shape
- Round to slightly flattened globe
- Flavour
- Sweet and mild with less earthy flavor than regular beets
In the kitchen
Best served raw or lightly cooked to preserve pattern. Excellent in salads, light roasting, pickling, garnish.
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Leaf miners, flea beetles, aphids, wireworms
- Diseases
- Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew, scab, damping-off
- Resistance
- Moderate disease resistance, similar to other beet varieties
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | — | June – July | July – September |
| 2 | — | — | May – July | July – September |
| 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
| 11 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 12 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
| 13 | — | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Protein (g)
- 1.69
- Fat (g)
- 0.302
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 8.79
- Fibre (g)
- 3.12
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 4.6
- Folate (µg)
- 103
- Calcium (mg)
- 13.8
- Iron (mg)
- 0.428
- Magnesium (mg)
- 21
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 33.6
- Potassium (mg)
- 342
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.31
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Chioggia Beet?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.
Similar varieties
Other root vegetables with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Chioggia Beet suits these too.
- Alpine 55 days
- Summit 55 days
- Nero Tondo Black Spanish Round Radish 55 days
- Purple Daikon Radish 55 days
- Long Black Spanish Radish 55 days
- Summer Cross No. 3 55 days