Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Merlin' Beets
 
Sub-Category: Round Red
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Early maturing hybrid produces round red beets with high sugar content. Drought and downy mildew tolerant.
Days To Maturity: 55
Seed Sources:
 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.0 Stars)Overall
Taste: (3.6 Stars)Taste
Yield: (3.0 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (3.1 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 9

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 11/27/2018 by Albany County MGs - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Albany, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Didn\'t sow until August (spring crop was harvested late due to late spring planting) and wasn\'t thrilled with the yield. Weather didn\'t help I\'m sure. Beets were on small side but tasty.
 

Reviewed on 11/26/2018 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease

Nassau, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The seeds were planted late in the season and had a fair germination rate. The plants look healthy, but are not ready to harvest as of this review date.
 

Reviewed on 10/29/2018 by Wayne County CCE - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Wayne, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Good variety for growing and taste.
 

Reviewed on 10/12/2018 by CCE Rockland County - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Rockland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Started indoors in July to avoid summer heat and improve germination, transplanted outdoors early August. Leaves grew nicely but beet root never formed into a ball. Summer heat may have been the problem.
 

Reviewed on 10/03/2018 by Saratoga MG - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease

Saratoga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Poor germination and very slow growth. Beets are tiny and misshapen.
 

Reviewed on 08/28/2018 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Good crop and yield for space. Well formed and tasty
 

Reviewed on 08/24/2018 by Tompkins MGV - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

We had poor germination and early growth, which might have been due to our soil. The ones that grew did not get huge, but were very tasty.
 

Reviewed on 02/20/2011 by macinator - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Trumbull, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I have been growing Merlin since 2008 and like the sweet taste, uniformity of size and coloring. It is an excellent variety to grow along with Chiogga heirlooms.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 05/16/2006 by farmerdill - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Richmond, Georgia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

A excellent beet. Sweet but not more so than Early Blood Turnip. The beets are very uniform in shape and size, giving it a great advantage as a fresh market beet.
 




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