I would say that depends on how you want to eat them. For mesclun, or eating raw, I'd get them under 3 inches high. If you cook them, you can eat them as long as they're in good condition. 2009-06-30T01:33:16Z false 11485 2495 2009-06-30T01:33:16Z 8814 For raw I was just going to eat thinnings, but I was wondering if one could still eat raw once an actual beet was formed. It seemed a shame to throw the tops away when harvesting the beets. I plan on selling my extras at the local market. So I could bunch the leaves and see what happens? Any suggestions on how to prepare beet leaves? Cook like spinach? Serve with what? An ingredient for a dish? Thx for your response. 2009-06-30T10:27:38Z false 11488 2495 2009-06-30T14:04:27Z 6012 Skarekrow, we just had some beet tops this week. I posted the recipe, but I will re post it in the foodies group if you would like. They are great. We just pulled the beets, and my husband had eaten the beet tops as a child when his mother harvested the beets, so he looked up recipes, and this one was a hit. 2009-06-30T11:49:56Z false 11489 2495 2009-06-30T11:49:56Z 5779 My family is of Ukrainian decent and we use the beet leaves in numerous ways. Large leaves are sliced in strips and added to soups or used in the same fashion as cabbage leaves for making 'cabbage rolls'. They can be rolled and stuffed in the same way and are actually much easier to use than cabbage leaves. Before I started vegetable gardening I used to savour finding the leaves available in markets. Too often the tops(leaves/greens) were removed for market which was a disappointment for me, personally. I think they look more 'farmer's market' or 'garden fresh' sold with the tops attached in my opinion. It also gives the customers the option to use or not. They can go into the compost if one desires as well. That could be something you remind your customers as well. Just my 2 cents. 2009-06-30T12:47:10Z false 11491 2495 2009-06-30T14:38:55Z 6214 Interesting! Stuffed beet leaves. I will have to look for a recipe for that!! 2009-06-30T13:23:30Z false 11493 2495 2009-06-30T13:23:30Z 5779 Excellent stuff. Thx all... Would love the beet top recipe Tropicanaroses 2009-06-30T14:08:12Z false 11494 2495 2009-06-30T14:10:43Z 6012