Beets "Bordeaux 237": characteristics and cultivation
Bright, juicy, sweet - this is, of course, beets. Among its many varieties, Bordeaux is highly valued for its rich flesh color, the presence of a large amount of sugar and, importantly, long-term storage. This variety is not capricious at all, it is very resistant to any weather conditions. And to grow such a plant in your garden, special efforts are not required.
Variety features
Variety "Bordeaux" was discovered by scientists during the Great Patriotic War. The goal of the researchers was to obtain a variety of beets that would give a high yield, not be afraid of cold weather and dry days. As a result of successful experiments, farmers have bred a variety, the name of which was given for its bright color of the pulp (even after heat treatment). After that, "Bordeaux 237" won the love of gardeners in Russia.
The variety in terms of yield is medium early. The period from the first shoots to the mature fruit is about 110 days. Early picking of beets is found only in the southern regions of Russia. Dig up the young fruits of the vegetable begin after about 70 days. "Bordeaux" is grown only by seedlings. She easily tolerates transplanting and picking.
The appearance of root crops is round or oval, slightly flattened. The weight of the vegetable reaches 250-300 grams. The peel is hard, dense, even, with some root processes. The flesh is bright burgundy. It is famous for a large percentage of sugar and nutrients.
As mentioned earlier, farmers appreciate this variety for its large-scale yield. On a small plot of land, you can grow up to 10 kilograms of a sweet vegetable. The first place in terms of the percentage of beet harvest is occupied, of course, by the southern lands of Russia. If the growing conditions are not favorable enough, the root crops slow down in growth, and the yield is reduced by almost half. Resistance to bad weather allows you to grow a crop in the Far East and even in Siberia. Beets are stored from the moment of its collection for about six months (6 months).
There are several ways to grow vegetables: in country and home gardens, greenhouses, and in industrial areas. By using a greenhouse for planting, you reduce the ripening time to somewhere up to 75 days. With proper care and use of fertilizers, the hostess will receive a bright vegetable with a high content of usefulness and incredible taste.
Ripe beetroot is used in the preparation of various dishes, it can be eaten fresh, as well as canned. But for salads and soups, we recommend young green tops.
Chemical value
There are 42 calories per 100 g of product, of which:
- proteins 1.5 g;
- carbohydrates 8.8 g;
- fat 0.1 g.
Beets are rich in useful elements that the human body needs. By consuming this vegetable, it is quite possible to make up for the lack of essential components for good health and, oddly enough, even get rid of diseases and ailments. A "useful" list looks like this:
- water;
- alimentary fiber;
- organic acids;
- monosaccharides;
- starch;
- ash;
- disaccharides;
- sulfur;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- chlorine;
- zinc;
- iodine;
- copper;
- manganese;
- fluorine;
- boron;
- nickel;
- cobalt;
- rubidium;
- vanadium.
Vitamins:
- beta carotene;
- vitamin A;
- vitamin B1;
- vitamin B2;
- vitamin B5;
- vitamin B6;
- vitamin B9;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin E
Product benefits
Beets are primarily a source of fiber. This element favorably affects the work of the intestines and improves the functioning of the entire digestive system. By adding a vegetable to your diet, in a short time you can get rid of problems with stools and constipation.
In addition, the Bordeaux variety:
- strengthens blood vessels;
- lowers blood pressure;
- prevents atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease;
- increases hemoglobin in the blood;
- cleanses the liver, improves its function;
- improves the general condition of the blood;
- accelerates metabolism;
- fights colds;
- ensures healthy intrauterine development of the fetus;
- copes with fatigue;
- improves the hormonal background of women and men;
- facilitates the premenstrual period;
- triggers erectile function.
Advantages and disadvantages
"Bordeaux" is one of the most famous beet varieties among farmers. Vegetable growers give preference to this crop for a number of reasons:
- medium early degree of maturation;
- yield scale;
- long shelf life of root crops;
- weather resistance;
- a large amount of sugars and vitamins;
- excellent taste;
- resistance to many diseases.
As for the minuses, this includes a tendency to become infected with fungal infections - peronosporosis and cercosporosis; practically does not take root on too hard and clay surfaces.
How to grow and store?
Throughout the growing season, vegetable crops require excellent and proper lighting. Therefore, if you are going to plant a vegetable in open lands, choose sunny areas. The soil where cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes have previously grown is ideal for planting.
In the same place, a vegetable can grow no more than three years.
Before planting, the soil must be prepared. To do this, use humus and wood ash. Such fertilizers favor the fertility of the earth and protect the vegetable from the disease of the fungus. Be sure to need loose soil that absorbs moisture well. "Bordeaux" does not tolerate high humidity very well.
To get a good harvest, you need to prepare the seeds of root crops in advance. Before planting, some procedures are carried out that will protect the fruits from infection and benefit:
- soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate, then rinse with water;
- those that have surfaced are unsuitable for landing - they are thrown away;
- seeds are placed between wet layers of gauze and stored for about a day;
- germinated seeds are ready for seedlings.
The planting time of the crop is calculated depending on the region and the weather. In April, residents of the middle zone plant beets (growing continues for several weeks). It can be planted in open ground at a temperature of + 11 ... 15 degrees.
When starting planting, remember that the distance between the seeds is 10 cm, between the rows - 30 cm. Massive tops should not interfere with the neighbors, obscure each other from the sun. After all, it is under the influence of warm rays that table beet is saturated with sugar, which makes it tasty.
Caring for a "burgundy" vegetable is not difficult. The main thing is not to forget to regularly loosen and weed it, fertilize it. But most of all, beets need watering, because water is the basis of the root crop.
Interesting: two weeks before harvesting, the vegetable is limited in watering. This is done to achieve the full maturity of the root crop, and the peel has become even denser.
If you picked a vegetable during the rain, keep in mind that now, more than ever, the root crop is susceptible to infection due to the presence of rot. At a temperature of 0-3 degrees, the vegetable will not lose its beneficial properties and remain just as juicy and tasty.
Rules for landing on a personal plot
Beets exist on any type of soil - light and heavy. Growing it on light soils, when harvesting, it is recommended to pull it out with your hands in order to avoid injury to the fruit. On heavy soils, help with a shovel.
If you create the best growing conditions, this culture will delight you with a large harvest and taste. Even if you grow a variety in dense soils, you can still provide it with an optimal level of moisture absorption. It is enough to add peat and sand to the soil. Other helpers for fertilizer: humus, compost, sod land.
Depleted earth can be brought back to life with double superphosphate and potassium salt. In spring days, supplement with ammonium nitrate.
One of the best options for cultivating beets is if you plant them on loamy soil (high-quality, fertile soil containing sand and clay).
If there are land plots where, for example, onions or cucumbers have grown before, feel free to use this plot for planting Bordeaux seeds. Next, you need to make small grooves (the distance between them is 1 cm). There should be at least 30 cm between rows. Seeds should be deepened by 2 cm on light soils, 4 cm on heavy soils.
Considering numerous reviews, one can come to the unequivocal conclusion that most gardeners prefer the Bardo 237 variety. And they love it precisely for its unique taste and unpretentious growth. It is also important that the variety has a long shelf life, which ensures the preparation of the product for the winter.The work is facilitated by the endurance of the crop and a good productive yield. Another note from farmers is the lack of flowering, which makes it easier for the fruit to develop.
Housewives share the moments of beet cooking and report that the color and saturation are preserved even when cooked or preserved, and if you eat the fruits raw, they remain just as sweet and juicy. Recommendations are the same everywhere: take care, water, and at the end of summer the vegetable will thank you.
Contraindications
Such a tasty culture is certainly considered one of the most useful among its vegetable counterparts. Still, scientists have identified warnings. The main thing is to know the measure and not get too carried away with the product. For normal nutritional functioning, it is enough to eat about 100 grams of raw or boiled beets. In order to avoid the worst consequences, you should pay attention to contraindications:
- diarrhea, loose stools;
- oxaluria;
- low acidity of gastric juice;
- diabetes;
- gastritis.
In the next video, watch the technology of planting beets in open ground.