Touchstone Gold Beets: Sweet Golden Gems for Your Garden

Touchstone Gold is an exceptional golden beet variety that matures in just 55 days, offering gardeners a unique and flavorful alternative to traditional red beets[1][4]. This improved cultivar boasts better germination and uniformity compared to standard golden types, with vibrant yellow to golden, smooth, globe-shaped roots that measure up to 3 inches in diameter[1][7]. Developed by Alf Christianson Seed Company, the breeders of Red Ace F1 and Guardsmark Chioggia, Touchstone Gold represents a significant advancement in golden beet cultivation[7].

The roots of Touchstone Gold beets are prized for their sweet, mild flavor and striking golden-yellow flesh that retains its beautiful color even after cooking[2][4]. Unlike red beets, these golden beauties don’t bleed, making them perfect for mixed beet salads and roasted root vegetable dishes[4]. The solid green tops are not only attractive but also edible, offering a bonus harvest of nutritious greens that can be used in salads or cooked like spinach[1][5].

Touchstone Gold beets thrive in full sun and prefer fertile, well-drained soil[4]. They can be direct-sown from early spring through late summer, with a recommended spacing of 4-6 inches between plants and 12-18 inches between rows[3][6]. These beets perform well in various climates and can be harvested when the roots are anywhere from 1-3 inches in diameter, with smaller sizes being more tender[1]. For a continuous harvest, consider sowing every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season[3].

Growing Success Tips:

• Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in soil temperatures between 50-85°F for optimal germination[3].
• Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart when they reach 2-4 inches tall[3][5].
• Keep soil consistently moist and rich in organic matter for rapid, even growth[3].
• Harvest greens when they’re 2 inches tall, taking no more than one-third of the plant’s outer leaves[1].

Touchstone Gold beets are a versatile and visually stunning addition to any garden, offering both beautiful golden roots and nutritious greens. Their sweet flavor and striking color make them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike, while their improved performance in the garden ensures a bountiful harvest for growers of all skill levels.

For best results, soak seeds overnight before planting to enhance germination rates, especially in cooler soils[4].

Product Features

• Maturity: 55 days from sowing[1][7]
• Root size: 3 inches in diameter[1][7]
• Color: Vibrant golden-yellow flesh[2][4]
• Foliage: Solid green tops with light yellow petioles[5]

Growing Information

• Planting depth: 1/2 inch[3][6]
• Spacing: 4-6 inches between plants, 12-18 inches between rows[3][6]
• Sun exposure: Full sun preferred[4][6]
• Soil temperature: Optimum 50-85°F[3]

Key Benefits

• Sweeter and milder flavor than red beets[2][4]
• Retains golden color when cooked[2][4]
• Doesn’t bleed, ideal for mixed salads[2][4]
• Improved germination and uniformity over other golden cultivars[1][7]

Citations: [1] https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/touchstone-gold-beet-seeds [2] https://growhoss.com/products/touchstone-gold-beet [3] https://www.superseeds.com/products/touchstone-gold-beet-55-days [4] https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/products/touchstone-gold-beet [5] https://forthefarmer.co.za/products/touchstone-gold-round-yellow-beetroot-50m [6] https://www.fruitionseeds.com/shop/vegetables/beets/organic-touchstone-gold-beet/ [7] https://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-non-gmo-touchstone-gold-beet.html [8] https://sakata.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOUCHSTONE-GOLD.pdf [9] https://fedcoseeds.com/seeds/touchstone-gold-organic-beet-2149 [10] https://plantaddicts.com/touchstone-gold-beet-plant [11] https://uprisingorganics.com/products/beet-touchstone-gold [12] https://risegardens.com/blogs/communitygarden/all-about-touchstone-gold-beets [13] https://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/beet-touchstone-gold.html [14] https://natureandnurtureseeds.com/products/touchstone-gold [15] https://www.westcoastseeds.com/products/touchstone-gold-2 [16] https://sakatavegetables.com/vegetable/touchstone-gold/ [17] https://www.phytotheca.com/phytotheca/beet-touchstone-gold/ [18] https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Gold_Beets_260.php [19] https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/beets/specialty-beets/touchstone-gold-organic-beet-seed-2818G.html