Beet, Mammoth Red Mangel
100 days. A gargantuan beet for the whimsical gardener! Harvest this delectable beet for the dinner table when young, or allow it to grow to epic proportions (ours have reached up to 40 pounds and 6 feet long) for giant veg competitions or just for a good old-fashioned gardener’s brag! A popular livestock feed in the 1800s, this makes a great fodder crop for the homestead. The giant roots are also used for a game called “mangold hurling.” Dating to the 11th century, the sport is still played in the U.K. today. Harvest the roots when small and tender; they can be sliced thin and eaten raw or cooked. Grated, the roots make a delicious beet burger! The greens are supremely tender, even as the roots swell; we have harvested yummy greens from our giant mangel for up to 6 months. The roots are endlessly useful; they can be eaten, fed to chickens, horses, cows, and sheep, or used for sport!
- 100 Days
- Full Sun
- Sprouts in 14-21 Days
- Seed Depth: 1/2"
- Ideal Temperature: 50-85 F
- Plant Spacing: 4-6"
- Frost Hardy: Yes
- Beta vulgaris
Growing Tips: Amend planting site with well-rotted compost, work soil deeply, and remove rocks. Sow 3-4 weeks before last frost. Thin early for best results. Requires neutral to slightly alkaline soil.