White Detroit Beet — The 1892 Sugar Beet Heirloom That Won’t Stain and Won’t Disappoint
Introduced in 1892 by Detroit’s world-famous D.M. Ferry Seed Company — the same legendary seedhouse that gave us Detroit Dark Red — White Detroit (Beta vulgaris) is the clean, stainless alternative to traditional messy old-world garden beets. Widely known as a ‘sugar beet’ for its exceptional sugar content, White Detroit is prized for its improved sweetness and versatility: press it, cook it, pickle it, or reduce it into simple syrups for a prolonged sweet crunch throughout the season. Clean white roots, light leafy greens, no bleeding, no staining, no purple hands. The same classic Detroit flavor and reliability — just without the mess. ~1,250 seeds/oz. 55 days.
Why Grow White Detroit?
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High sugar content — widely known as a ‘sugar beet’ for exceptional sweetness
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No bleeding, no staining — clean white roots; no purple hands or stained cutting boards
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Versatile in the kitchen — pressed, cooked, pickled, or reduced into simple syrups
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1892 Detroit heritage — introduced by D.M. Ferry Seed Co., the same source as Detroit Dark Red
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Light leafy greens — edible tops as a bonus dual-purpose crop
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Succession sow every 2–3 weeks — for continuous season-long harvests
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Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year
Growing Notes
Direct sow 4–5 weeks before last spring frost or 4–5 weeks before first autumn frost. Sow ½ inch deep, 1–2 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart in fertile, organically rich, well-drained soil. Pre-soak seeds 24 hours to encourage germination (germinates in 5–10 days). Thin to 2–3 inches as true leaves establish. Does not transplant well — direct sow only. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers — they produce lush tops but smaller roots. Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Full sun preferred.
Pests & Diseases: Generally problem-free. Watch for aphids, leafhoppers, and sugar ants. May occasionally be affected by fungal leaf spots, mildew, or root rot. Practice good garden sanitation and crop rotation.
| Days to Maturity |
55 days |
| Root Color |
Clean white, no bleeding or staining |
| Common Name |
Sugar Beet, Detroit White |
| Flavor |
Sweet and crunchy; higher sugar content than standard beets |
| Best Uses |
Fresh eating, roasting, pickling, simple syrups, pressed juice |
| Plant Height |
8–10 inches, 6–8 inch spread |
| Seed Count |
~1,250 seeds/oz |
| Planting Depth |
½ inch |
| Plant Spacing |
1–2 inches (thin to 2–3 inches) |
| Row Spacing |
12 inches |
| Germination |
5–10 days |
| Soil |
Organically rich, evenly tilled, well-drained |
| Soil Temp |
Day 60–70°F / Night 50–60°F |
| Light |
Full sun |
| USDA Zones |
2–11 |
| Year Introduced |
1892, D.M. Ferry Seed Co., Detroit |
| Latin Name |
Beta vulgaris |
| Type |
Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual |
Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.
