Crosby's Egyptian Beet, Heirloom Seeds

Crosby’s Egyptian Beet, Heirloom Seeds — The World’s Most Widely Grown Beet, Perfect for Pickling and Winter Storage

Crosby’s Egyptian (Beta vulgaris) is the most widely grown beet in the world — and despite the name, it came to America in 1869 via Germany, through the work and research of Josiah Crosby of Massachusetts. Heart-shaped, flattened, dark red roots are sweet and early without any “earthy” taste — one of the largest and earliest varieties, producing a heavy yield of round, flat, delicious beets ideal for pickling, boiling, or baking. Erect medium green tops grow up to 16 inches tall. The perfect fall storage beet — earlier to mature than other storage varieties, making it an ideal late summer-sown beet to fill the winter pantry. 45–55 days.

Why Grow Crosby’s Egyptian?

• World’s most widely grown beet — proven performance across generations and climates
• Sweet and early without earthy taste — one of the cleanest-flavored beets available
• Perfect fall storage beet — earlier than other storage varieties, ideal for filling the winter pantry
• Heavy yield of large, flat roots — excellent for pickling, boiling, and baking
• Fascinating history — named for Josiah Crosby of Massachusetts, arrived via Germany in 1869
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow outdoors 4–6 weeks before last frost or in late summer for fall/winter harvest. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 2–3 inches apart, in rows 12–18 inches apart. Thin to 3–4 inches. Full sun to part shade. Keep soil consistently moist. Note: beet “seeds” are fruits containing multiple seeds — several seedlings will emerge from one seed. Use thinned seedlings for beet greens. Harvest at 45–55 days.

Days to maturity: 45–55 days
Root shape: Flattened, heart-shaped, dark red
Packet size: 2.6 g / 200+ seeds
Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Annual
Spacing: 9 per sq ft
Sun: Full sun to part shade
USDA Zones: 2–11 (annual)