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Growing Beetroot, also Beets

(Beta vulgaris)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    P P P   P P        

(Best months for planting Beetroot in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • 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. Recommended soil pH 5.5 -6.5.
  • Compatible with: Onions, Silverbeet (Swiss Chard), Lettuce, Cabbage, Dwarf Beans, Dill, Peas. Strawberries
  • Avoid growing with: Asparagus, Carrots, Sweetcorn, Spinach
  • Seedlings before thinning
  • Young beetroot

Your comments and tips

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19 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi john. I've found that a good fertilizer works, but one with very low nitrogen. It gives them a kick on without the excessive leaf growth. But I grow the Lutz greenleaf variety now, which gives me good bulbs with lovely green tops to eat as well.
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17 Jul 12, John Campbell (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best thing to put on young beetroot plants to promote the root growth more than the leaves
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26 Apr 12, Mabel Reidy (Australia - temperate climate)
Wash beetroot and boil till soft, the skin will peel off easily, then slice into a bowl. Make a mixture of vinegar and brown sugar{I use Balsamic vinegar} and pour over beetroot and chill. You can also bake the beetroot with your roast, just like spuds or whatever.
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08 Apr 12, Tracie (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my Beetroot and gave them plenty ofwater but they look sad
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18 Mar 12, D.Gulyas (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I was just wondering what fertiliser to apply when my soil has NPK 0.65mg/kg:11mg/kg:0.16meq/100g. It is a pH6 loamy soil. Any response appreciated. Thank you
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30 Jan 12, Julie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why should you not plant beetroot and carrot together thanks
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07 Apr 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Carrots like a more sandy soil and not as much water as beets. Carrots will rot and be malformed if they have too much water adn are not drained properly. While beets love water!
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07 Jan 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
how deep should you plant the beetroot plants in a pot? Bernard
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06 Jan 12, Peta (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I only planted bought quite advanced seedlings from a nursery and planted them three weeks ago. it looks like they are popping up out of the ground already. would this be right or have I done something wrong? they are about 2-3 cm across.
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11 Jan 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown heaps of Betroot this year, if the grounds a little hard put munch around them, about two inches thick.That has help for me with the ground a little hard and dry
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Post a question, comment or tip about Beetroot

Hi Gloria, There could be several causes of your problem but it is difficult to identify exactly from such a short request for help. The most likely cause is too much nitrogen right from planting time onwards. However, associated with that is commonly an outbreak of leaf diseases. If it is too much nitrogen I’d suggest side dressing the plants with a fertilizer mixture with very low or NO nitrogen, preferably dig it in and give a good watering. On another point, too much watering over time could also cause your problem. Also, another reason could be that some beetroot varieties are notorious for high foliage and small root production as they are specifically grown as leaf beets. The leaves of beetroot are very tasty and nutritious and it is shame ort not eat them either after harvesting or from on-growing plants. Hope this helps a bit. John Bee Master Gardener

- John Bee


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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. Gardenate 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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