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Red Mammoth Fodder Beet

Beta vulgaris

Price: $2.95

SKU: 3040151

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95 to 120 days — Fodder beets, also known as field beets, mangold, mangold wurzel, mangel beets, and mangel-wurzel, have all but disappeared from modern agriculture, especially home gardening. They once held an important place in a typical farm plan, as they were a crop that was left to reach maturity, then carefully lifted from the ground, and stored in a cool dry location to be used later as avaluable winter feed for livestock and poultry.

And like many old-time animal feed-crops, fodder beets often found their way to their sower's table, particularly at a younger age when the roots and leaves are quite suitable for this purpose. The roots can be boiled and mashed like potatoes, or diced and stewed in sweet curries. The leaves can be lightly steamed or boiled as vegetable greens.

As described above, 'Red Mammoth' fodder beets store well and reach a very large size. The oval to spindle-shaped roots can reach twenty to twenty-five pounds each. They have a dull red color skin with white flesh and provide an excellent amount of food value per acre. Each packet contains four grams, which is approximately 300 seeds.
Special Groups: Ark of Taste
Planting Instructions: In a well-drained location that receives six to eight hours of full sun daily, sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep and one inch apart. The rows should be spaced 12 to 24 inches. Make sure that you have loosened the soil to one foot deep and rake smooth.

Firm the soil over the seeds and keep moist, making sure that the young roots do not dry out, until seedlings appear. When plants are 1½ to 3-inches tall, thin to three inches apart. The “thinnings” can be eaten as “baby greens.” Water weekly (or as required) in dry weather. Control weeds.
Informational Resources:
  1. "Les Plantes Potagères," Vilmorin-Andrieux & Cie, 1883.
  2. Ark of Taste.
  3. World Wide Words - Mangel-wurzel.

Customer Reviews:

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★★★★★ Hen approved with eggzellent results
By Paul Halvorson. on February 4, 2023

Good germination and good results when planted according to the instructions, Chicken and rabbits enjoyed the beets and the tops and so did we. It's early Feb and they are still in great shape, store well in damp sawdust or sand. The chickens like the variety they bring to their winter feed. I had some rodent damage and will install a electronic device in to counter that.

★★★★★ Wonderful Beet
By Michael Rundquist on February 3, 2016

I planted these last spring and was amazed at the size In November. I pulled up a bunch of giant beets most measuring almost a foot long and weighing in at least twenty pounds each. Soon as the weather breaks I plan on setting the biggest back out for seed.

★★★★★ Good Fodder Beet
By Anne Holzinger on August 17, 2015

I planted these for poultry fodder. I was a little disappointed that mine didn't get very big but I just threw them in the back of the garden with no fertilizer or water other than rain. Considering that they did quite well. I pulled a couple up and the hens seemed to like them. I will be growing these again.