This beet is an heirloom and dates to the mid-1800’s and was/is, grown for its delectable foliage (Microgreen), which reaches up to 18,” you can start picking the leaves as soon as a month after planting and they are sweeter than radicchio. Older leaves will become more bitter with age. The beet itself is pretty good too, when harvested at about 2 to 3” in diameter, to use as baby beets. Even though it is considered a secondary crop they area still quite good when small The stems are edible as well. No oxalic acid taste at all, either. Bulls blood is the beet for “beet greens”. Baby beets develop in 9-11 weeks.
The foliage will be a beautiful deep purple. By adding them to your perennial boarders you will also have a lovely foliage to add to your design as filling in an empty space, and then having a crop to boot.
Medicinal:
Ancient Romans used beetroot as a treatment for fevers and constipation, amongst other ailments. From the Middle Ages, beetroot was used as a treatment for a variety of conditions, especially illnesses relating to digestion and the blood. Platina recommended taking beetroot with garlic to nullify the effects of ‘garlic-breath’
