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          

(Best months for growing Beetroot in USA - Zone 5a 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

25 Jul 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Paulie - Yes you can grow beetroot in pots, but they need to be BIG pots. Beetroots definitely prefer the garden. Tania - I find the same problem some years - I think it could be too much nitrogen and not enough potassium. You could try fertilizing with a fruit/flower type fertilizer with higher potassium. Or maybe more patience - my beetroot take a long time for the root to grow.
23 Jul 09, Paulie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi guys. first time veggie patch grower here. great fun so far. does anyone know, can you do beetroot in pots?
26 Jun 09, Tania (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I grew beetroots last year and the bottoms were quite small. Am trying again this year and the leaves look big healthy, but again not much underneath. What am I doing wrong?
19 Jun 09, Trevor Heywood (Australia - temperate climate)
I cook fresh beetroot in a large stock-pot with a few bay leaves and sometimes an unpeeled dutch shallot: If you have an abundance of leaf or don't care for it, leave them on when you cook and don't cut the rat's tail off as it causes bleeding. After half an hour's boiling, remove the tops less 1 inch of stalk and continue cooking. Then, use gloves to slip the skins and tails off when cool - the stalk bump comes off easily too. There is no need to interfere more than this when preparing the root for the table.
16 Jun 09, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Great recipe for Beetroot.Dice cooked beetroot and put in an oven proof dish with lid. Add equal amount of Goats Cheese and sprinkle with Thyme and black pepper then stir. Put in oven for about thirty minutes. Delicious. We have it at least twice weekly with our main.It goes well and dinner party guests change their opinion about the humble Beetroot
05 Jun 09, coastie (Australia - temperate climate)
Carol, you certainly can eat the beet tops. They are a little tougher than silver beet, but taste good.
02 Jun 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Carol, Yes you can definitely eat beetroot leaves! They're a bit like red silverbeet. I like to steam them like spinach, or cook them like Asian greens.
29 May 09, Carol (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing beetroot for the first time and I was wondering if the leaves can be eaten?
30 Apr 09, Deboracadbra (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have to strongly agree with all the roasted beetroot folk. A truly devine way to enjoy beetroot, I don't bother peeling them just top and tail them, good splash of quality olive oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper and you're away. If you do too many like I do, they are fabulous cold in a salad with say goats milk cheese, greens and roasted kumera.....ah delish.
15 Apr 09, Lemvis (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi everyone. Was wondering with forono beetroot, how thinly can i space them in my rows to get maximum yeild?
Showing 341 - 350 of 368 comments

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