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 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
  • 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

22 Apr 24, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
ph for beets
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.
Showing 1 - 10 of 291 comments

I have had very varied success with growing beetroot. Some will grow quickly and taste so sweet, others in the same garden bed don't even go to seedlings. They are the same seed packet, same variety and same area of garden. Can anyone help. I have tested Ph and they get watered at night every second day if no rain. I am at a loss as to why some do & some don't.

- Wendy

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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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