White Detroit

Family: Amaranthaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add White Detroit to a garden.

Silken-smooth white roots glow like pale ivory beneath the soil, tender and sweet with a mild, clean flavor that feels luminous rather than earthy.

White Detroit forms a compact, uniform crop of crisp, fine-grained beets that roast beautifully until silky, and also shine fresh for bright salads and quick pickling. Grow for a 50-day harvest window—ideal for gardeners who want striking color contrast without the deep-red intensity.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

White Detroit beets cook up creamy and almost neutral—sweet without the deep, muddy punch of red varieties—so they stay elegant in both heat and acid. Roast for a silky interior, then hit them with lemon, vinegar, and a little funk like goat cheese to make the flavor read vivid, not muted.

Best Uses

roast-and-peel slices for a silky, spoonable side
quick pickling for bright, snappy contrast
raw matchsticks in citrusy salads
pureeing for a pale, creamy beet-tinted sauce base

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild beet sweetness silken-smooth, fine-grained texture clean, lightly earthy finish tender when cooked through, crisp when raw

Kitchen Pairings

goat cheese horseradish balsamic vinegar lemon olive oil fennel

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Beta vulgaris (white beet) like White Detroit, and how can I control them?

A frequent issue is Cercospora leaf spot, which shows up as tan to dark spots with yellowing around them; remove affected leaves and avoid wetting foliage during watering. For insect pressure, watch for aphids and leaf miners on beet foliage—rinse aphids off with a strong water jet and use insecticidal soap for repeat infestations (follow the label). Keep rows weeded and thin seedlings promptly to improve airflow around the crowns and leaves.

How often should I water White Detroit beets during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level do they need?

During the main bulking period (roughly weeks 3–7), keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy: aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings during hot spells. Dry-out followed by heavy watering can cause poor root texture, so water lightly and more frequently when the top 1 inch of soil dries. Mulch after seedlings are established to reduce surface drying, especially in full sun.

How can I tell when White Detroit beets are ready to harvest?

Harvest when roots reach about 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in diameter, typically around 50 days from sowing for White Detroit. Another cue is the visible shoulder/pull-up near the soil line—when it’s developed fully and feels firm, they’re ready. Pull one test beet first; if it’s still small or woody, give the rest a bit more time.