Chioggia Guardsman

Family: Amaranthaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, tender roots open to a mesmerizing candy-cane cross-section—crisp concentric rings of creamy white and candy-striped red that look almost too beautiful to plant.

Chioggia Guardsman beets develop a deep, earthy sweetness with a fine, satiny texture that stays pleasantly tender at harvest, making them a standout for showy presentations. Grow for fresh slicing, vibrant roasting, and striking pickled color that holds its charm from garden to jar.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Taproot

Botanical illustration of Chioggia Guardsman

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This Chioggia type is built for the slice: tender, satiny flesh and an earthy-sweet core that doesn’t turn grainy, so the candy-ring cross-section stays crisp on the plate. Roast or pickle it and the stripes keep their swagger—its sweetness loves salty, tangy partners like cheese and citrus.

Best Uses

thin rounds or matchsticks for high-impact salads—those rings stay photo-ready
hot roasting until sweet and caramelized, then sliced to reveal the candy stripes
quick-pickles where the color reads bold and the texture stays pleasantly snappy
grating raw into a citrusy slaw for a vivid, crunchy contrast

Flavor Profile

deep earthy sweetness finely satiny, tender bite clean, crisp beet flavor with a bright finish

Kitchen Pairings

goat cheese feta balsamic vinegar walnuts orange

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a common beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) pest or disease problem, and how can I address it?

Leaf spot and Cercospora infections are common on beet greens, appearing as small brown to purple spots that spread on older leaves. Remove badly affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow between plants; if it’s severe, treat with a copper-based fungicide labeled for vegetables and follow the label timing. Watch for aphids on tender growth—spray plants with a strong water jet or use insecticidal soap for control.

How often should I water Chioggia Guardsman beets during peak growth?

During the main root-filling phase (roughly mid-season to harvest), keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t let the root zone fully dry out, which can cause tough, woody roots. Mulch helps maintain steady moisture while beets are swelling.

How do I tell when Chioggia Guardsman beets are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when roots are about 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) across for best sweetness and tenderness. You can judge readiness by gently lifting or checking the root shoulders at the soil surface—when they look well-filled and round, it’s time. Pull beets promptly once they reach size, because prolonged time in the ground can lead to tougher texture and more fibrous roots.