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 7°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm 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

25 Apr 15, ann Nimmett (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
something is eating the leaves on my beetroot.
17 Apr 15, Kay (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, my beetroot plants do not form beetroot. Just a long odd shape nothings. Plants look Healthy. Cheers Kay
09 Feb 15, Peter Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
Love beetroot but have no room to plant in the garden can they be grown in containers and how many would be the required amount for a 500mm dia pot.
17 Jan 15, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I always find that around 55 days is more than long enough, much after that and they tend to get tough and less tasty.
06 Jan 15, Ralda Ansons (Australia - temperate climate)
I've already harvested one crop of beetroot. Can I now plant another crop? Can it be in the same bed where the spring onions were?
05 Feb 15, Tim (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes that should be fine on both counts. What I normally do with my beets (and indeed any other crop that I grown from seed direct in the garden) is place some seeds into the middle of the suggested spacing between plants once the developed crop is about two weeks away from harvest. This allows time for new seedlings to come through without taking over the space in the garden. Hope this helps
07 Dec 14, Fay (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some of my beetroot are red on skin but when I cut them they are white. What have I done wrong? Can we still eat them?
25 Dec 14, RootBeet (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like you might have a heirloom variety 'chioggia' look them up.
02 Dec 14, Marion (Australia - arid climate)
hi, from the calendar you need to wait at least 3 months, my beetroot has been in since June and are quite hugh . You could have planted them too close together, I had no problems transplanting them to giVe them more space to grow as well.
30 Nov 14, denise (Australia) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Planted beetroot 6 weeks ago and feeding every 2 weeks with seasol, leaves look healthy and lush. Pulled up one plant to find the beetroot is the size of a walnut, why is that?
Showing 181 - 190 of 368 comments

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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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