Lutz Green Leaf

Family: Amaranthaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweetly earthy and richly colored, Lutz Green Leaf beets bring a deep, velvety red interior under a crown of crisp, emerald foliage.

The roots develop a smooth, tender texture with a classic round-to-globed shape that stays pleasantly uniform from garden to harvest. Grow them for bold, jewel-toned results in roasted trays, vibrant fresh salads, and striking pickled slices that hold their color beautifully.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Lutz Green Leaf

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Lutz Green Leaf Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lutz Green Leaf is built for that classic beet satisfaction: sweet-earthy flavor with a tender, uniform core that roasts up silky instead of woody. Pair the vivid root with tangy fat (crème fraîche) or lactic cheese, and let acid and dill sharpen the finish without drowning the earth.

Best Uses

hot-roasted beet trays where they stay evenly tender
vibrant fresh beet salads where slices keep their color and texture
quick-pickled rounds for jewel-bright color retention
beet-and-greens sautés or braises for a two-texture plate

Flavor Profile

sweetly earthy beetiness tender, smooth-fleshed bite velvety, jewel-toned interior clean, crisp greens that taste lightly mineral

Kitchen Pairings

goat cheese walnuts balsamic vinegar fresh dill citrus (orange or lemon) crème fraîche

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris), and how do I treat it?

Beets commonly develop Cercospora leaf spot, which shows up as small, tan centers with reddish-brown rings on older leaves. Remove and discard affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow by spacing plants once they’re established. If the problem is spreading, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide according to the package directions.

How often should I water beets during the main growing phase (around the first 6–8 weeks)?

During the main growth period, keep soil evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow long dry spells that cause stunted roots or woody texture. Mulch lightly to reduce moisture swings and help the roots size up evenly.

How can I tell when my beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) are ready to harvest?

Start checking around 60 days from sowing by gently pulling one plant and looking at the root size. Harvest when roots are about 1.5–3 inches (4–7 cm) wide for best tenderness, and before they get too large and hard. If you see white “hairy” root tips pressing against the soil surface, harvest soon to prevent toughness.