How to Grow Pizzazz Mix
Wikimedia Commons
Pizzazz Mix
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
vegetablePizzazz Mix is a colorful blend of heirloom beet varieties featuring vibrant red, golden yellow, and candy-striped roots in a single seed packet. These beetroots are prized for their stunning visual appeal and sweet, tender flesh, making them excellent for fresh eating, roasting, and culinary presentation. The mix offers variety in color and taste from a single planting.
When should you plant Pizzazz Mix in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Pizzazz Mix timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Pizzazz Mix
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Pizzazz Mix
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pizzazz Mix dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; best as spring crop in warm climates
Sign up free to see if Pizzazz Mix grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Pizzazz Mix timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
7-10 daysSeeds sprout and first true leaves emerge; small green shoots visible
Keep soil consistently moist; maintain warm soil temperature (50-85°F); protect from slugs and birds
Seedling to Thinning
2-3 weeksMultiple leaves develop; plants are crowded and need spacing; cotyledons fully expanded
Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart; thinned seedlings are edible as microgreens; water gently but thoroughly
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksLeafy tops develop with 8-12 leaves; small root swelling begins underground; plant is low and bushy
Maintain consistent watering; apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture; monitor for pests; fertilize lightly if needed
Root Development & Maturation
2-3 weeksRoots swell to 1-3 inches diameter; skin color intensifies (red, yellow, striped variations emerge); foliage remains green
Continue even watering to prevent splitting and tough roots; thin crowns may push above soil—keep covered with mulch or soil to prevent greening; watch for alternaria leaf spot
Harvest Ready
At maturityRoots reach 1.5-2.5 inches diameter; color is vibrant and distinct; roots are firm and sweet
Begin harvesting when tender; can leave in ground in cool climates for storage; harvest before hard frost in cold zones
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Row covers over young plants; neem oil spray; spinosad; encourage beneficial insects
-
Remove affected leaves; row covers; spinosad; parasitic wasps
-
Hand-pick; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); spinosad; neem oil
-
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; attract beneficial insects
-
and
Beer traps; copper tape; hand-pick at night; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Roasting and Fresh Cooking
CulinaryPizzazz Mix beets are excellent roasted whole, sliced into salads, or pickled. The variety of colors makes for stunning visual presentation on plates and in dishes, while their natural sweetness intensifies with roasting. [source]
Greens as Leafy Vegetable
CulinaryYoung beet greens are edible raw in salads or cooked like spinach, offering earthy flavor and nutritional value. Harvest tender leaves early in the season for best texture. [source]
Cardiovascular Health
MedicinalBeets are rich in betalains and nitrates, which support healthy blood pressure and circulation. Fresh juice or whole roasted beets can be incorporated into a wellness routine. [source]
Natural Food Dye
HouseholdThe vibrant pigments in Pizzazz Mix beets—especially the red varieties—can be used to create natural food colorings and dyes for textiles. [source]
Garden Display and Ornamental Value
CraftThe striking multicolored roots make Pizzazz Mix excellent for farmers markets, photography, and edible landscaping where visual appeal is a goal. [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 beets when 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter for peak tenderness and sweetness; pull or dig carefully to avoid damaging roots; harvest from outside of rows to allow interior plants to continue growing; both roots and tender greens are edible; store roots in cool, humid conditions (32-40°F) for up to 2-3 months; twist off greens before storage to prevent moisture loss
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pizzazz Mix contains three distinct heirloom beet varieties—Chioggia (candy-striped), Golden, and Detroit Dark Red—each with unique flavor profiles and colors, all maturing at similar times in a single planting
- 🌱 The striped Chioggia beet was developed in Italy near the town of Chioggia and reveals concentric rings of white and red when sliced, earning it the nickname 'candy cane beet'
- 🌱 Beet greens are nutrient-dense and contain more vitamins and minerals than the root itself; historically, beet greens were valued as a medicinal food long before the root became popular
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Pizzazz Mix planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Pizzazz Mix seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Pizzazz Mix timeline →