Beetroot: selected cultivars: Early Wonder

Beetroot: Early Wonder

Grown on my allotment in 2004

Medium-sized red globe roots. Grown and harvested early.

In taste tests, Early Wonder was said to have a pleasant earthiness and a mild sweet flavour.

Early Wonder or Early Wonder Tall Top is a globe beetroot, with large thick roots having a slightly flattened globe shape. It is a North American introduction that was described around 1880, but it was probably first introduced much earlier in the seventeenth century than this in the USA. Its origins are linked to Crosby's Egyptian beetroot, although, like Crosby's Egyptian, its main connection to Egyptian beetroot (below) is that it also matures early in the summer. It is less highly coloured than Egyptian and most other varieties of beetroot. Early Wonder remains very popular in the USA. The leaves are bright dark-green with red stems and the tops are abundant and tall. The greens of this variety are tender and are particularly good to eat. It has good resistance to bolting and is good for both early sowing and as a main crop. Early Wonder grows relatively quickly in cool soils, in spring or autumn, and is popular as a general use beetroot.