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How to Grow Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold

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Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

vegetable

Touchstone Gold is a striking golden beet variety with white and yellow concentric rings visible when sliced, offering a sweeter, milder flavor than red beets. This heirloom variety produces tender, smooth roots that are excellent for fresh eating, roasting, and pickling. The greens are also edible and highly nutritious.

Looking for a specific variety?

Touchstone Gold Candy Stripe Detroit Dark Red Golden Chioggia Bull's Blood

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Example Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold

    Around Jun 11

    ≈ 55 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beet Candy Stripe Touchstone Gold dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Inconsistent watering causes tough, fibrous roots.
📏
Spacing: 3-4 inches between plants, rows 12-18 inches apart inches
📅
Days to maturity: 55-70 days
🌱
Planting depth: 0.5-1 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, loose and friable
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
compost aged manure perlite or sand for drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler seasons in warmer climates

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Thin seedlings emerge with 2-4 cotyledons and first true leaves appear within 7-10 days. Multiple seedlings often sprout from one seed cluster.

Thin seedlings to proper spacing when 1-2 inches tall. Water gently to avoid damping off. Keep soil consistently moist.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plants develop 4-6 leaves, establishing a rosette pattern. Roots begin to develop below ground while foliage grows vigorously.

Maintain consistent moisture and provide full sun. Thin to final spacing if not already done. Begin monitoring for pests.

3

Root Development

2-3 weeks

Roots become visible at soil surface and begin to swell. Foliage grows denser with 8+ leaves. Golden color becomes visible at root shoulders.

Consistent watering is critical during this stage. Mulch lightly to keep roots cool and retain moisture. Avoid nitrogen excess which favors greens over roots.

4

Maturation

1-2 weeks

Roots reach 2-3 inches in diameter with fully developed golden-yellow color and distinctive white/yellow striping visible. Greens remain tender and vibrant.

Continue regular watering. Beets are ready to harvest when 1.5-3 inches in diameter; smaller beets are more tender. Can leave in ground in cool weather for extended harvest.

5

Harvest

Ongoing harvest window

Roots are firm, smooth, and of ideal eating size. Greens remain attached and usable.

Gently pull or loosen soil and pull at root base. Twist off greens, leaving 1-2 inches of stem. Cure roots in cool, dark place before storage.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

lettuce spinach swiss chard kohlrabi cabbage kale onion garlic dill marigold

Avoid planting near:

pole beans climbing beans fennel

Common Pests

  • Row covers on young plants; neem oil spray; diatomaceous earth; remove weeds that harbor beetles

  • Remove affected leaves; spinosad spray; parasitic wasps; maintain garden cleanliness

  • Handpick caterpillars; Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; neem oil; encourage natural predators

  • and (various fungi)

    Ensure excellent drainage; don't overwater; use sterile seed-starting mix; improve air circulation

  • Remove infected leaves; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if severe; crop rotation

Uses

🍳

Sweet Golden Root Vegetable

Culinary

Touchstone Gold beets are naturally sweeter and milder than red varieties, making them ideal for roasting, boiling, pickling, or serving raw in salads. The striking yellow-white striping adds visual appeal to dishes. [source]

🍳

Edible Beet Greens

Culinary

The tender greens are excellent in salads, sautéed like spinach, or added to smoothies. They're rich in vitamins A, C, and minerals, offering a nutritious bonus harvest. [source]

💊

Nutritional and Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Medicinal

Beets contain betalains and nitrates linked to reduced inflammation, improved blood pressure, and enhanced athletic performance. The golden variety is slightly milder than red but retains beneficial compounds. [source]

🏠

Natural Food Coloring and Pickling

Household

Golden beets produce a beautiful yellow hue when cooked or pickled, serving as a natural dye alternative. Pickling preserves the crop for months and creates a sweet, tangy condiment. [source]

🍳

Roasting and Caramelizing

Culinary

The natural sugars in Touchstone Gold caramelize beautifully when roasted, creating a tender, slightly sweet side dish. This cooking method brings out their unique golden color and complex flavor. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when roots are 1.5-3 inches in diameter for best tenderness and flavor, typically 55-70 days after planting. Smaller beets are sweeter and more tender than large ones. Gently pull or dig, loosening soil first. Twist off greens 1-2 inches above root. Store roots in cool (32-40°F), humid environment; they keep 2-3 months. Greens are best eaten fresh within days of harvest.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Touchstone Gold is an heirloom variety that produces uniquely striped golden roots with white concentric rings—a striking visual contrast not found in most commercial beet varieties, making it popular among farmers' market growers.
  • 🌱 Beets are naturally high in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide, a compound that may improve blood flow and athletic endurance—an effect that has made beet juice popular among runners and cyclists.
  • 🌱 Beet seeds are actually seed clusters called 'seed balls,' which is why thinning seedlings is essential; each planted seed may produce 2-4 sprouts, explaining why proper spacing is crucial for good root development.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Mulch True Leaves
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