You can't beat free seeds: Beet seeds available from Schloneger's at Berlin and Kidron

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • April 15, 2013
  • 357
                        
Summary: Complimentary beet seeds are available from Schloneger’s Ice Cream at Berlin and Kidron for those wanting to participate in the 5th Annual Red Beet Fest this fall. The humble red beet takes center stage at the Red Beet Fest held each year in the fall at Kidron. Keith Schloneger, one of the original event organizers who has made a name for himself as the esteemed old-fashioned ice cream maker in the region, encourages area gardeners to plant beets now so they can participate in the festival that will be in its fifth year. Schloneger hands out seeds to anyone interested in participating in the Red Beet Fest largest beet contest which will be held Oct. 19 at the Kidron Heritage Center at Kidron. “I am like the Johnny Appleseed of red beets,” said Schloneger. “Because of the festival I have learned a lot about beets that I never knew before.” To get complimentary beet seeds from Schloneger simply stop and see him in Berlin at his ice cream stand at Sol’s or across from Lehman’s Hardware at Kidron during regular business hours. The Red Beet Festival got its start in 2009 after Schloneger and a group of pals had a friendly competition to see who could grow the biggest beet. Schloneger started growing a European heirloom beet called German Lutz, known for an abundance of edible greens and large roots that never get woody and shared seeds with his friends. The beets seem to get bigger and bigger each year. While Schloneger did grow a nine pound beet last year it was not bigger than the 18 pounder that took the grand prize. Schloneger suggests chicken manure as a fertilizer in soil where beets will be grown. In addition to the biggest beet an award is also given each year at the festival for the top beet that is judged by Dr. Allen Hoaglund of Mt. Eaton. The Red Beet Fest includes samples of recipes that use beets as well as Schloneger’s own red beet ice cream that is always a big draw. People that don’t even like beets are willing to try the magenta colored treat made using a John Deere hit and miss engine. Live bluegrass music adds to the flavor of the festival. The Red Beet Fest has an official song written by local resident Bruce Hershberger. “We’re talkin’ ‘bout red beets, they’ve taken a back seat, so show us your red beets and stand up tall,” sings Hershberger in a video that can be seen on YouTube. Full of phytonutrients that have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support, beets are also an excellent source of heart-healthy folate and a very good source of the antioxidants manganese and vitamin C as well as potassium. Beets are a good source of digestive-supportive dietary fiber, free radical scavenging copper, bone-healthy magnesium, and energy-producing iron and phosphorus. With facts like that everyone is going to want to include beets in the garden and in their diet.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load