Red Mammoth Fodder Beet - 250 Seeds - Non-Gmo Heirloom

Fodder beets have been grown since medieval times and were traditionally used for feeding livestock in the winter. They provide nutritious animal feed and are well-liked by hogs, cows, horses, and goats. These beetroots can weigh 20 Lbs each, and yields of 50 tons per acre have been recorded!
Beets seem to have originated in the Mediterrenean region, where people grew them for thousands of years. Later, beets grew in Germany and Holland and were used as cattle fodder; they were later imported to England for this purpose, but the poor began to raise them for an affordable food source. American colonists later brought them to the New World, where they became a commonly enjoyed food both for their roots and their greens.

Sowing: Direct sow Red Mammoth Fodder beet seeds outside as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant them in full sun and well drained soil. Sow them 1" deep and 6" apart in rows 2'-3' apart. Tamp down the earth above the Red Mammoth Fodder beet seeds to ensure good contact with the soil, and germination should take place in 5-15 days.

Growing: Since each beet "seed" holds up to 8 actual seeds, the seedlings will need to be thinned to 3" apart. The uprooted plants do well as a second crop, as transplanting them will set them about 2 weeks behind the original plants. Take care not to bruise the seedlings when weeding. They love cool weather, and can survive temperatures down to 25F.

Harvesting: Though Red Mammoth Fodder Beets can achieve a size up to 20 pounds, and are best suited for animal feed, the beets and tops are edible and quite tender if harvested at less than 3" in diameter. After pulling them, twist off the tops about 1" up the stem to prevent the beets from bleeding. Up to one third of the tasty beet greens can also be harvested without damaging the plant. This variety produces a great amount of lush greens.