55-65 Days to maturity. Beta vulgaris. MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Vegetable Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom bunching beet. MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet is a variety from Scotland about 150 years ago or more. The dark red to magenta purple leaves are strikingly beautiful and can be grown as ornamental or edible plants. Perfect for edible landscaping and home gardens. This variety can be grown in the ground or large containers that account for the expected root growth. The leaves are delicious to eat, but they also produce a long, conical root. MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet is prized for its rapid maturity, early harvesting, and small roots that are harvested in bunches. ~3,680 seeds/oz.

Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Latin Name: Beta vulgaris
Hardiness Zone: Annual in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Days to Maturity: 55-65
Days to Germination: 7-14
Seeding Depth: 0.5 inches
Plant Spacing: 2-3 inches
Row Spacing: 12-18 inches
Plant Height: 12-15 inches
Plant Spread: 6-10 inches
Plant Width: 6-10 inches
Growth Habit: Upright
Soil Preference: Loamy, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, pH 6.0-7.0.
Temperature Preference: 50-75 F
Light Preference: Full Sun
Direct Sow: Yes Direct Sow
Start Indoors: Yes, start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting outdoors
Pests and Diseases: Beets generally resist common diseases but can suffer from fungal diseases like Cercospora leaf spot in wet, humid climates. Adequate spacing and proper airflow help prevent disease. Susceptible to pests like aphids, leaf miners, and flea beetles.
MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Color: Deep red-purple.
MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Flavor: The roots are mildly sweet and boldly earthy. The greens are tender and have a delicate, slightly bitter taste.

Growing Non-GMO MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Vegetable Seeds

Sow seeds directly in the garden once the soil temperature reaches 50F. Sow seeds 0.5 inches deep, spacing them 2-3 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart. Ensure consistent soil moisture during the germination period, which usually takes 7-14 days. For an early harvest, you can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date, transplanting seedlings once the soil is workable. When transplanting, handle the seedlings gently to avoid disturbing the roots.

After the seeds germinate, thin the seedlings to allow proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding. Maintain consistent watering, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season to promote healthy root and leaf development. Check the soil for compaction, as beets grow best in loose, airy soil. If needed, amend your soil before planting with organic matter like coco coir, peat, or sand.

MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet in the Vegetable Garden

Its compact size makes it ideal for interplanting with taller crops like tomatoes or corn. The plant also has mild pest-repellent properties and can deter some insects when used in a companion planting arrangement, especially alongside onions and garlic. Its tender greens can be harvested young as microgreens. This variety is handy in small-space or raised-bed gardening.

Harvesting MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet

MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet is ready to harvest when the roots reach the size of a golf ball. Check the top of the beet’s root, which should protrude slightly from the soil and have a deep red-purple hue. To harvest, gently pull the plants from the soil, careful not to damage the roots. If the soil is compacted, loosen it with a garden fork before pulling. The greens can also be harvested as you go, along with the roots, or earlier if desired.

About MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Garden Seeds

This beet variety best suits temperate climates and can thrive in USDA zones 2-10. It grows well in cool seasons and is frost-hardy, making it a good choice for early spring or fall planting in regions with mild summers. Warm regions may want to grow in the late winter to early spring to benefit from the cooler temperatures.

While these bunching beets can be planted closer together than traditional large-rooted beets, avoid overcrowding the plants. If grown too close together, the roots may become misshapen or stunted. Thinning seedlings to the recommended spacing is crucial for achieving uniformly sized roots and healthy plants.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I have heard that boron is essential for root development. If you struggle to grow beetroots, try fertilizing with a blend containing boron, or some gardeners just use a small amount of borax before planting."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet Seeds Per Package:

2 g - Wholesale - Approximately 260 Seeds
1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 3,680 Seeds
4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 14,720 Seeds
1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 58,880 Seeds
5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 294,400 Seeds
25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,472,000 Seeds

Non-GMO MacGregor’s Favorite Bunching Beet seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

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