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

29 Aug 21, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
There is no best type for any region. Just try a variety or two.
22 Feb 21, Charles Bracun (Australia - temperate climate)
what species are quickest to mature?
23 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Grow the variety you like, does a week or two make any difference ?
14 Feb 21, Herman mhagama (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
In Tanzania also grow well but market is problem where can we get market in South Africa or else in the world
09 Nov 20, Norma Street (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Can I plant beets now Maryland has mild winters
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.
Showing 31 - 40 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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