Growing Beetroot, also Beets

Beta vulgaris : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S S S              
    T T T T            
    P P P P            

(Best months for growing Beetroot in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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
  • Young beetroot
  • Seedlings before thinning

Soak seeds in water 24 hours before planting so that you can separate the seeds. Thinning is nearly always required as seedlings emerge from a seedball of several seeds. If you don't thin them, you will get a number of rather pathetic plants which don't grow to an edible size. Harvest in 55 - 70 days but will keep in ground for longer.

Keep well-watered as dry beetroot develop a woody and inedible core. Tip from the Italian Gardener "Make sure the top of the beet's bulb is covered with soil; this keeps the entire bulb the same color and prevents 'corkiness' at the top of the bulb." For tasty and tender beetroot, start harvesting at golfball-size.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Beetroot

Apart from boiling whole for salads, beetroot roast well, cut in wedges.
They also make a tasty salad grated raw with carrot and a little fresh orange juice.

Your comments and tips

18 Mar 24, Alan Booth (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Newcastle which I believe is situated in temperate climatic conditions. Is March/ April a suitable time to grow baby beetroot?
23 Apr 23, (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Geelong. I have various results with growing beetroot. At the moment the bulb size is very small. What can help with this?
07 Jun 23, deidre (Australia - arid climate)
Beetroots fill out more in warm weather. Other reasons for size variations include planting too close together or not enough phosphorus in the soil. Sowing a green manure crop will remedy nutrient deficiencies. Good luck!
08 May 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow from seed, plant out when 3-4 leaf stage about 5-6
12 Mar 23, Stephen MUSGRAVE (Australia - temperate climate)
You say not to grow beetroot near carrots. What happens if they are close together
03 Feb 23, Helen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've read that beetroot likes boron and this should be added to them at some stage. How much is required, what ratio to water ( 1 teaspoon to 9 litres????) At what stage ( seeds, growing seedlings, or plants with bulbs forming and how often. Also can I grow outside of my greenhouse over the colder months of winter or make sure harvested before frosts??
06 Feb 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I wouldn't get too tied up on the boron. If you buy some read the directions or read before you buy. You would only need to apply once as it is a minor element. Plants would not need much boron so don't go overboard with it. Some fertilisers have it in it.
16 May 22, Hazel (Australia - temperate climate)
I’ve just replanted some baby beetroot seeds after bush turkeys dug out my others…..then noticed that beets are no longer in the ‘to plant’ list! Do they stand any chance of survival? They are in a raised plastic planter…
17 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They should grow, hill up the soil around the base a bit.
08 Mar 22, Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is it important to store all my seeds in the refridgerator? Can I simply store it in a plastic box out of the sunlight?
Showing 1 - 10 of 290 comments

I read people's comments about manures being rich in N. Manures only have about 1-4% N. You would have to apply a lot of manure to have a high % N. Rather expensive if buying the manure. I apply a fert with about 15% N. The secret is how much to apply. My beetroot plants are quite leafy and produce good sized beets - from 1" to 5". Maybe people need to look more at the right time of the year to plant. There is a good planting guide on this web site. When people say they had a failure with a crop they should state what time of the year they planted.

- Mike

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