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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28 Jan 10, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of our beetroot has grown looking nice and red, but some turns white when cooked. Any ideas about what's wrong?
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10 Dec 14, Pete kidby (Australia - temperate climate)
My beetroot are very large and completely whit inside Help
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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our beetroot went well into winter and spring and we tried a borscht for the first time. Wonderful stuff with a blob of sour cream. Next year we are going to try pickling our own beetroot. We also enjoyed beetroot, apple, carrot and parsley juice. What a versatile veg.
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24 Nov 09, Barry Walker (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some beetroot about a month ago. End of October. I live in Penrith NSW. How long will they take to be ready for picking/eating?
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22 Nov 09, trevor fenton (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Good Morning Please help. The problem I have growing beetroot is it goes to seed prior to developing a decent size beet. Any help wil be gratefully received. Regards Trevor Fenton
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19 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hello cake lady. You won't unfortunately be able to grow bulbs from the tops, but you will get leaves for salads etc. They will bolt and produce seed from the tops if planted in the ground, then you could plant these . Free seed, gotta be a bargain. You can do this with carrots and parsnips too.
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08 Nov 09, pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try using small beetroot leaves in your salad - they are very good and look terriffic
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20 Oct 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Shirls: depends on what you want to use the beetroot for. Small baby beets are delish about 2-3 cms diameter. Larger beets are best cooked into other things (chocolate cakes for example)
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19 Oct 09, The Cake Lady (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought beetroot at our local veg shop and the tops had sprouts on. Can I cut the sprouts and plant them?
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15 Oct 09, Shirls (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please tell me how do you know when the beetroot are ready to harvest. Thank you Shirls
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how do I know when my beetroots are ready to harvest?

- elane

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