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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
22 Feb 21, Charles Bracun (Australia - temperate climate)
what species are quickest to mature?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Grow the variety you like, does a week or two make any difference ?
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Nov 20, Norma Street (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Can I plant beets now Maryland has mild winters
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Nov 20, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You could try, if they fail then stick to the planting guide here.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jul 20, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I found out why my beetroot got flowers: because they aren't beetroot, they are Hon Tsai Tai. Whoops!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 of 367 comments
See comments for all plants

They should grow, hill up the soil around the base a bit.

- Anonymous

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.