Seed planting instructions

Mountain Valley Seed Co.
Mountain Valley Seed Co.

Beet – Early Wonder Tall Top

Tall vigorous dark-green, 16 to 18 inch tops tinged with maroon, excellent for greens. Dark purplish-red 3 inch flattened globe bunching beet for home or market gardens. Beet seed is actually a dried fruit with 1-5 seeds in each fruit, so proper thinning is very important. Used as a first early variety of beet for mid-summer sowing and storage.  Eat beet tops before any sign of wilting for maximum flavor. Vinegar pairs well with beets. In most cases the smaller the beet the sweeter the beet the larger the beet the more ‘earthy’ the beet will taste. Walnut oil pairs very well with warm beets. To minimize the beet color from excessive bleeding leave the stem plug in place and skin on while cooking.

Sowing Instructions:

Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost, for early summer crop, and late summer for fall crop. Growing during hot temperature periods should be avoided.

Inside: Not recommended.

Special germination instructions: Soak seeds for 8 to 24 hours before sowing.

Days to Emerge: 5-21     Seed Depth: 1/2     Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 4
Row Spacing: 12”     Thinning: When 2 tall, thin to 1 every 4

Mountain Valley Seed Co.
Mountain Valley Seed Co.

Radish – Easter Egg Blend

Dependable oval radish in Easter egg hues of pink, red, purple, and white, all with crisp, mild, white flesh. They are best grown in the cool periods of spring and fall. Eat fresh in salads or add a bit of crunch and color to sandwiches. Easy to grow from seed and a fun choice for kids.

Sowing Instructions:

Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4to 6 weeks before average last frost and when soil temperature is above 40º F. Germinates fastest at 60º-65º F. Successive sowings every 5-10 days until late spring. Sow again in late summer until first day of fall frost.

Inside: Not recommended.

Days to Emerge: 5-10     Seed Depth: 1/2     Seed Spacing: 1/2
Row Spacing: 8”     Thinning: When foliage appears, thin to  1”apart

Mountain Valley Seed Co.
Mountain Valley Seed Co.

Spinach – Tyee Hybrid

Mild and tender flavor. Semi-savoyed leaves. One of the most bolt resistant varieties on the market. Upright plant reaches 10 inches in height. Slightly crinkled, dark-green leaves. Very heat-tolerant. Resistant to downy mildew.

Sowing Instructions:

Outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost or as soon as the soil can be worked. Successive sowings thereafter every 3 weeks until 4 weeks before the first fall frost. If mulched, spinach can overwinter in sub-zero temperatures.

Inside: Not recommended.

Days to Emerge: 5-10     Seed Depth: 1/2     Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 4-6
Row Spacing: 12”     Thinning: When 1tall, thin to  1 every 4-6

Mountain Valley Seed Co.
Mountain Valley Seed Co.

Swiss Chard – Rainbow Mixture

Our own blend of colored chards including red, yellow, orange, white, and vivid pink stems that merge into dark green savoyed leaves. Slow to bolt and quite lovely in bunches. Ornamental/edible landscaping at its best.

Sowing Instructions:

Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before average last frost and when soil temperature is at least 50º F.  Sow in late summer for fall/winter crop.

Inside: Not recommended.

Days to Emerge: 5-10     Seed Depth: 1/2     Seed Spacing: A group of 2-3 seeds every 4-8
Row Spacing: 6”     Thinning: When 1/2tall, thin to  1 every 6-8

Originally published on September 5th, 2013. Updated on March 3rd, 2023.