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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23 Apr 18, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you have sugar cane straw as mulch. I have found the slaters and big brown grubs come out of the mulch at night and demolish anything new. I had the same problem as you with new beetroot seedlings and in desperation sparingly sprinkled some snail/slater bait amongst them. Whilst I never found any dead snails or slaters, the problem disappeared. Hope this helps.
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09 Apr 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
50 or 70% shade cloth for awhile.
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14 Mar 18, Kylie (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you plant beetroot in a pot or is it best in the ground?
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17 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do you want to plant 2-3 seeds or 15-20?
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07 Mar 18, Tek Bir Rai (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How to sow beetroot seeds ?
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13 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Get a Styrofoam box from a supermarket - cut the top half off - a lot less soil to put in and lighter to carry. Fill it up with some loose soil or potting mix or a mixture of both.
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29 Jan 18, Mick (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it best to plant beetroot late summer or early spring ? we get frost here in Bathurst
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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do both.
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31 Jan 18, Katie (Australia - temperate climate)
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
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02 Jan 18, Monica tarnas (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my beetroots 8 weeks ago and they are the size of a 5 cent coin. Can I space them apart and respect them
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.1.what type of pesticides should be applied to beet roots if attached by pests. 2.what type of fertilizer if any is recommended to be applied to the plants.

- Kenneth Chagunda

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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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