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

09 Nov 20, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You could try, if they fail then stick to the planting guide here.
20 Sep 20, Gordon Slocombe (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I have grown some really good size beetroot over the years but sometimes they grow like carrots why is this
27 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I take a lot of care planting and fertilising beetroot and end up with beetroot from 25-125mm dia. I hill the soil up around them when they are about 150mm high. A possible answer is the soil sinks around the plant leaving a long narrow beet from the leaves to the part in the soil. I generally fertilise with a watering can to have a more even distribution of fertiliser.
21 Jul 20, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Subtropical QLD - I germinated beetroot seeds in June and planted out in July. One seedling has flowers on it already. We have had cold weather and I also thought beetroot were biennial. Is this normal for flowers to get on plants so quickly?
22 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is a biennial but is treated as an annual. I have grown beetroot for 40 years and have never had any flower. I'm sub- tropical and have beetroot about 10 weeks old in the garden now. I pickle mine. I would say it is just some weird seed. A plant will go to seed early when the soil nutrient is running out and lack of water. I currently have ice berg lettuce and red cabbage where 7 plants each look fine with a nice head and one other plant is a big leafy plant with no head, 2-3 times the size of the others.
24 Jul 20, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I found out why my beetroot got flowers: because they aren't beetroot, they are Hon Tsai Tai. Whoops!
27 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown Hon Tsai Tai for the last 3 years. I have 3 plants that are just about finished flowering. Lots of seed pods on them. Love watching the bees in the morning on the flowers.
26 Jun 20, Sue (USA - Zone 8b climate)
My beets have been in the ground for sometime now. I have tried to thin. The plant is now at least 12 inches tall. As I thin some of the smaller plants there is very little to no 'beet'? It is just a very small root the size and shape of a pencil about an inch long. Any suggestions? Thanks
14 Jan 23, Jen (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I try to thin my small seedlings when they are about 1” to 2”. I’d space the plants as directed 4” apart if you want beets, by snipping them with scissors. That way you don’t disturb the root. I often remove as many as I keep.
18 Nov 22, Adilene (USA - Zone 10a climate)
You should thin them early on and make sure your soil isn't compacted.
Showing 31 - 40 of 363 comments

Beetroot don't seem to mind a frost although in my area we only get a few days of severe frost. Most are light. Due to our hot Summers they only really grow well in Winter here so consider how hot your Summers are if planting in Spring! If you are likely to get temps over 40 degrees before harvesting they probably will struggle

- Katie

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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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