Kestrel Beets

Beta vulgaris ‘Kestrel’

Characteristics

Culture

A productive, hybrid beet variety, Kestrel Beets work great for baby bunching or full-sized beet roots. It produces globed-shaped, deep red beet roots that are sweet and consistently sized. Plants produce semi-glossy tops that mature at 12″-13″ tall. It works great as a storage beet for pickling and preserving.

Beets may be direct seeded or grown as transplants. Beet seeds are multigerm, which means that each seed will germinate 2-3 plants. As a result, plants will require thinning once they emerge from the soil. Failure to thin will result in overcrowding and lack of consistently sized roots. Plants should be thinned to one every 3-4″ along the row. Beets may be planted on a bed with multiple rows close together. Harvest beets when roots have reached 3-4″ in size. For storage, remove the greens and keep the roots in the refrigerator.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Kestrel is slow bolting for extended growth periods into late spring.  The red skinned roots have a superb dark flesh color and increased sugar levels for a sweeter flavor. 

Problems

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Uses

Kestrel beet’s ability to develop a round shape at an early stage makes it an excellent candidate for baby beet production. This variety can also be stored for extended periods of time when harvested at full maturity.