Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima 

'Sea Beet'

[Ex. North Yorkshire, England]

Chenopodiaceae: a sprawling, clump-forming perennial of cliffs, shingle beaches and other coastal habitats. The green flowers form dense, leafy spikes, flowering from July-September. The dark green, glossy are leathery with reddish stems. Locally common. Native to coastal areas of Europe, including Britain, south and east to North Africa and Asia to the East Indies.

USES:

The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked, and have a delicious spinach substitute in the spring, the leaves become less pleasant as the season progresses. Some people dislike the raw leaves since they can leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This is the wild beetroot of coastal areas. The cultivated beetroot, sugar beet, seakale beet and Swiss chard have all been developed from this species by means of selective breeding.

Although little used in modern herbalism, beet has a long history of folk use, especially in the treatment of tumours. The juice is also applied to ulcers.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Beets grow well in a variety of soils, growing best in a deep, friable well-drained soil abundant with organic matter, but doing poorly on clay. They prefer an open position and a light well-drained soil. Sow seeds from March to May in situ. Easy.

HARVESTED: 2022*

APPROX. 30 SEEDS