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

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22 Feb 21, Charles Bracun (Australia - temperate climate)
what species are quickest to mature?
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23 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Grow the variety you like, does a week or two make any difference ?
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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
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09 Nov 20, Norma Street (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Can I plant beets now Maryland has mild winters
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09 Nov 20, (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You could try, if they fail then stick to the planting guide here.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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!
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Showing 31 - 40 of 367 comments
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I grow beetroot from Mar to harvest late Oct. I grow seedlings and plant out and cover with a shade cloth cover for about 2 weeks. I then fertilise with a watering can to give a good uniform fertilising. If required another fertilising later. Space plants about 125mm apart. Rows about 400mm apart. When they have grown about 150-200mm high I even hill the soil around them a bit to support them. I grow DT BROWN Detroit Red Globe from the Reject shops. I find when I boil them to pickle they don't bleed too much. They flesh is still a deep colour. I water each two days in good free draining soil.

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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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