Deep red globes are sweet and tender. An excellent all-purpose beet! 60 days. For a versatile, all-around superb beet for eating fresh or canning, it's hard to top Detroit Dark Red Short Top. These mid-sized roots are tender and sweet, with a smooth, round shape and rich scarlet color. Beets are a cool-weather crop, direct-sown in fall or as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Before planting, make sure that the soil is as loose, rich, and well drained as possible, so that the root can grow without stress.