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An Early Wonder beet with a round red root and lush green tops in a sunny garden.

How to Grow Early Wonder Beets From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Early Wonder is a fast, generous heirloom that gives you two harvests in one. Its smooth, round red roots are sweet and tender, ready in as little as 48 to 52 days, while the plant is famous for its abundant, high-quality greens. Gardeners love it for that early flush of lush tops you can cook like chard long before the roots size up. Non-GMO and simple to direct sow, it is a reliable choice when you want beets and greens as soon as possible.

This is the quick guide to Early Wonder. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting beets, see our complete guide to growing beets from seed.

Quick start

Direct sow Early Wonder seeds about half an inch deep once the soil can be worked in spring, as beets do best planted right where they will grow. Because every wrinkled seed is a cluster of several, thinning is essential: thin the seedlings to 3 to 4 inches apart when they are a couple inches tall, and enjoy the pulled thinnings as tender baby greens. Roots mature quickly, in about 48 to 52 days, so watch for shoulders about one and a half to three inches across. Harvest the roots then for the sweetest flavor, and pick the greens anytime along the way.

Best tip

Since Early Wonder is grown for its greens as much as its roots, harvest the outer leaves regularly to keep a fresh supply of tops coming while the roots develop. This cool-season variety performs beautifully in the Pacific Northwest and New England spring gardens, and in hotter climates like the Gulf Coast or Central California, plant in early spring or fall so it matures before or after the peak heat.

At a glance

How to Grow Early Wonder Beets From Seed — growing specifications at a glance
Botanical name	Beta vulgaris
Plant type	Cool-season biennial grown as an annual
USDA zones	2 to 11 (grown as an annual)
Sun	Full sun to part shade (6+ hours)
Days to maturity	48 to 52 days
Height	10 to 14 inches
Spacing	3 to 4 inches apart
Water	Even and consistent; about 1 inch a week

Uses

Early Wonder is a standout for the kitchen because both parts shine. Cook the lush green tops like chard or spinach, sauteed or added to soups, and roast, boil, or pickle the sweet, tender round roots. With generous greens and flavorful roots from one planting, it is a favorite for gardeners who want to use the whole plant.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does Early Wonder beet mature?

Early Wonder lives up to its name, with roots ready in about 48 to 52 days. Its speed makes it one of the best beets for an early spring harvest, and you can enjoy the flavorful greens even sooner as the plants grow.

What does Early Wonder look and taste like?

Early Wonder produces smooth, round roots in a deep red with sweet, tender flesh. It is especially known for its abundant, upright green tops, so you get a beautiful flush of high-quality greens along with the roots.

What is Early Wonder best used for?

Early Wonder is a top pick when you want both greens and roots. Harvest the lush tops for cooking like chard or spinach, and use the sweet round roots for roasting, boiling, or pickling. It is an excellent all-around beet for the early kitchen garden.

Any growing tip for Early Wonder?

Since Early Wonder is prized for its greens, sow it a little thicker and thin gradually, eating the tender thinnings as baby greens. Keep the soil consistently moist and pick the outer leaves often to keep lush new growth coming while the roots develop.

Ready to grow your own? Early Wonder delivers an early harvest of sweet red roots plus an abundance of lush, edible greens from a single easy sowing. For the full step-by-step, see our complete beet growing guide linked at the top of this page.

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.