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How to Grow Ronde de Bordeaux Beet

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Ronde de Bordeaux Beet

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

vegetable

Ronde de Bordeaux is a French heirloom beet variety prized for its deep burgundy-red, almost black skin and tender, sweet flesh with concentric rings. The round, uniform roots are typically 2-3 inches in diameter and store exceptionally well. This variety is beloved by gardeners for its rich flavor, attractive appearance, and reliable performance.

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Example Ronde de Bordeaux Beet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Ronde de Bordeaux Beet

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Ronde de Bordeaux Beet

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ronde de Bordeaux Beet dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Inconsistent watering causes cracking and tough texture.
📏
Spacing: 3 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 50-70 days
🌱
Planting depth: 0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Boron (if soil is deficient) Avoid excessive nitrogen

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-9; can be grown year-round in mild 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

1-2 weeks

Tiny heart-shaped cotyledons emerge with fine, crinkled true leaves following. Seedlings are delicate with thin stems.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once first true leaves appear. Protect from slugs and damping off.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Dark green, deeply veined leaves develop on long petioles. Multiple leaves form from the crown as the root begins to swell underground. Plants reach 6-8 inches tall.

Maintain consistent moisture. Begin thinning to final spacing. Apply compost mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for leaf spotting diseases.

3

Root Development

3-4 weeks

The beet root enlarges beneath soil, developing the characteristic deep burgundy color. Leaf canopy becomes fuller and more vigorous. Shoulders of the root may emerge slightly above soil.

Continue consistent watering. Keep mulch away from the crown to prevent rot. Side-dress with compost if needed. Watch for bolting in warm conditions.

4

Maturity

Variable; harvest at 50-70 days or hold in soil

Beets reach 2-3 inches in diameter with smooth, uniform, dark burgundy skin. Leaves remain healthy green. Roots feel firm when gently pushed.

Continue regular watering to prevent cracking. Harvest when desired size is reached (smaller beets are more tender). In cool climates, can leave unharvested longer.

5

Harvest & Storage

One-time harvest

Roots are pulled from moist soil with tops intact. The stunning deep burgundy color and tender sweetness peak at harvest.

Harvest in cool morning hours. Trim tops to 1 inch to prevent bleeding. Cure in cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store at 32-40°F with high humidity for months.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lettuce Swiss Chard Spinach Cabbage Broccoli Marigold Nasturtium Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Pole Beans Fennel

Common Pests

  • Remove affected leaves promptly. Use row covers on young plants. Spinosad spray if infestation is severe. Destroy crop residues.

  • Row covers over young seedlings. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Diatomaceous earth on foliage. Remove weeds nearby.

  • and

    Hand-pick, especially at night. Beer traps. Copper barriers. Remove mulch away from crown. Encourage ground beetles.

  • Remove and destroy infested leaves. Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) spray. Handpick larvae. Remove crop debris.

  • Use sterile seed-starting mix. Ensure good drainage and air circulation. Avoid overwatering seedlings. Thin seedlings promptly.

Uses

🍳

Roasting & Cooking

Culinary

Ronde de Bordeaux is exceptionally sweet with tender texture when roasted whole, steamed, or boiled. The deep burgundy color adds visual appeal to salads, soups, and purees while providing earthy, complex sweetness. [source]

🍳

Salad Green Leaves

Culinary

Young tender beet greens are delicious in salads with a mild earthy flavor. The dark green crinkled leaves are packed with nutrients and can be harvested throughout the season without harming root development. [source]

🍳

Pickling & Preservation

Culinary

The firm flesh and sweet flavor make Ronde de Bordeaux ideal for pickling whole or sliced. Its deep color infuses pickling liquid beautifully and maintains texture during preservation. [source]

💊

Nutritional & Health Support

Medicinal

Ronde de Bordeaux contains high levels of betalains (antioxidants), folate, manganese, and dietary nitrates linked to improved blood flow and cardiovascular health. Traditional folk medicine uses beets for detoxification support. [source]

🏠

Natural Food Dye

Household

The deep burgundy juice produces a vibrant, long-lasting natural dye for fabrics and foods. Historically used to dye cloth and as a food coloring agent. [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 beets reach 1.5-3 inches in diameter for optimal tenderness and flavor. Smaller beets are sweeter and more delicate. Gently loosen soil with a garden fork and pull by the crown. Twist off tops 1 inch above root (don't cut) to prevent bleeding and preserve storage quality. Ronde de Bordeaux stores exceptionally well at 32-40°F in high humidity for 3-5 months. Can also harvest tender young leaves for salads.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Ronde de Bordeaux is an heirloom variety from Bordeaux, France, dating back at least to the 19th century and prized by European gardeners for its superior flavor compared to modern hybrids.
  • 🌱 The deep burgundy-black color intensifies when beets are grown in cooler temperatures, making fall harvests more visually striking than spring crops.
  • 🌱 Unlike many vegetables, beet roots actually improve in sweetness after a light frost, as the plant converts starches to sugars for cold protection.

Gardening Terms

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

Bolt Compost Crown Damping Off Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Thinning True Leaves
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