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

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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our beetroot went well into winter and spring and we tried a borscht for the first time. Wonderful stuff with a blob of sour cream. Next year we are going to try pickling our own beetroot. We also enjoyed beetroot, apple, carrot and parsley juice. What a versatile veg.
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28 Jan 10, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of our beetroot has grown looking nice and red, but some turns white when cooked. Any ideas about what's wrong?
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10 Dec 14, Pete kidby (Australia - temperate climate)
My beetroot are very large and completely whit inside Help
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25 Feb 10, sharon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Beetroot will turn white when cooked if you cut the stalks to close to the bulb before cooking Leave some stalk on when cooking or they bleed out into the water.
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05 Mar 10, brian slane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Just like a previous writer, I would like to know when beetroot is ready to harvest
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07 Mar 10, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot will push upwards when it is ready and you can usually see a decent sized top over the top of the soil.
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08 Mar 10, Sherale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
whats the best fertilizer for beetroot as I planted a month ago and seedlings very small..
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15 Mar 10, Raj (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Liked your coloure coded time table for planting. Is it possible to replant the bulbs similar to using potatoes to grow fresh plants? Thanks
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15 Mar 10, Rob (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Early spring I planted Rainbow Beets. Wonderful. I got white, red, yellow and varying combinations of coloured ringed beets. They look great in the pickling jar and taste just as good
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21 Mar 10, brian slane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you Lisa (Australia)
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Showing 41 - 50 of 364 comments
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What fertilizer do you recommend for beetroot seedlings. Can you grow peas at this time of the year.

- Anthony Peddie

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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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