Growing Beetroot, also Beets

Beta vulgaris : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P P         P P P P

(Best months for growing Beetroot in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, Silverbeet (Swiss Chard), Lettuce, Cabbage, Dwarf Beans, Dill, Peas. Strawberries
  • Avoid growing close to: Asparagus, Carrots, Sweetcorn, Spinach

Your comments and tips

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08 Mar 10, Sherale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
whats the best fertilizer for beetroot as I planted a month ago and seedlings very small..
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07 Mar 10, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot will push upwards when it is ready and you can usually see a decent sized top over the top of the soil.
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05 Mar 10, brian slane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Just like a previous writer, I would like to know when beetroot is ready to harvest
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25 Feb 10, sharon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Beetroot will turn white when cooked if you cut the stalks to close to the bulb before cooking Leave some stalk on when cooking or they bleed out into the water.
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28 Jan 10, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of our beetroot has grown looking nice and red, but some turns white when cooked. Any ideas about what's wrong?
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10 Dec 14, Pete kidby (Australia - temperate climate)
My beetroot are very large and completely whit inside Help
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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our beetroot went well into winter and spring and we tried a borscht for the first time. Wonderful stuff with a blob of sour cream. Next year we are going to try pickling our own beetroot. We also enjoyed beetroot, apple, carrot and parsley juice. What a versatile veg.
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24 Nov 09, Barry Walker (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some beetroot about a month ago. End of October. I live in Penrith NSW. How long will they take to be ready for picking/eating?
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22 Nov 09, trevor fenton (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Good Morning Please help. The problem I have growing beetroot is it goes to seed prior to developing a decent size beet. Any help wil be gratefully received. Regards Trevor Fenton
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19 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hello cake lady. You won't unfortunately be able to grow bulbs from the tops, but you will get leaves for salads etc. They will bolt and produce seed from the tops if planted in the ground, then you could plant these . Free seed, gotta be a bargain. You can do this with carrots and parsnips too.
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Why is it advised not to grow beetroot next to spinach?

- Mary

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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