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

07 Mar 18, Tek Bir Rai (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How to sow beetroot seeds ?
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.
19 Jun 20, Anthony Peddie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What fertilizer do you recommend for beetroot seedlings. Can you grow peas at this time of the year.
20 Jun 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Any general garden fertiliser - just not too high in Nitrogen - you want the beet to grow not a huge amount of leaf. Peas check the planting time here for them.
Showing 21 - 24 of 24 comments

I couldn't grow it for years, though I kept trying because sometimes it seemed like I was achieving some improvement. Then I went through a period of getting the foodscraps from a shop and feeding them to the chickens, though most ended up being dug under the soil. The soil was teeming with worms all the time. Within a year, I was growing good beetroot. I think the amount of organic matter made the difference. Now I'm not getting the foodscraps anymore, and my beetroot is average. I'd suggest digging your food scraps under the soil and letting it compost there rather than in a pile or bin, and see if that helps. I'd love to hear whether it does.

- Heidi

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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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