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 Jan 11, steve brown (Australia - temperate climate)
Didn't know boron/ borax were the same,but boron is an S5 keep away from children, corrective element produced by Manutec , so you are probably right and a bit richer than me.Should be available at most nurseries and is quite costly. My 500 gram purchase will see me out though. Apply at rate of 5g per litre of water. The beets I planted and watered in with mixture are booming despite the flooding they copped last week Cheers and Happy Gardening folks from Steve
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02 Jan 11, steve brown (Australia - temperate climate)
A light application of boron at sowing stage will produce the healthiest and tastiest beetroot you have ever grown.This is best done by dissolving about a teaspoon of boron in a watering can of water and then applying
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14 Jan 11, Mal Douglas (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can you buy boron? Mal.
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16 Jan 11, Pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can buy Boron in the supermarket as Borax - about $5 for a box. ( Borax is very toxic, so keep out of reach of children - Liz)
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25 Dec 10, Colin Cook (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sometimes my beetroot develop red leaves and do not grow well; what does this indicate please?
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09 Sep 10, krystalbuzz (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you grow beetroot from the tops?
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16 Jun 11, gardenmad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was just trying to find out the same thing! No luck with an answer yet? I have planted some tops and they are looking good, don't know if they will develop a root though. I will keep a look out on this site.
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24 Jul 10, janice (Australia - temperate climate)
i havn't got much space for a garden can i plant vegies in foam boxes
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06 Sep 10, Evette (Australia - temperate climate)
you can, but you need to make sure the drainage is and soil is good. Good luck
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05 Jul 10, Ray South (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Belinda, I like most of Jackie French's books. They're easy to read and full of info. Something like Backyard Self-sufficiency or Organic Gardening. However, I'd start with my local library. Find a book that looks like it might do and borrow it. Only borrow one so that you can get familiar with it. Also, if it's your first veggie garden, go with easy things to grow. If you have a local gardening club, particularly something along the lines of BOGI (Brisbane Organic Growers Inc.), join up and pick their brains. There's nothing like homegrown. Good luck.
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Me too. I tried on wet paper got 5 from 30. Planted directly into a raised bed got 5 again from heaps. I have soaked some for 24 hours took the floaters out and planted the rest into potting mix. Waiting to see what happens.

- John

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