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 7°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm 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

11 May 17, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
My beetroot became much better when I fed them some boron and watered them with weak worm tea every second day, I think they like their vitamins and minerals and good nutriion.
23 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
If you plant your garlic at the back and the soil is in good condition there is no reason why you couldn't plant garlic long the back and 2 or 3 rows of beetroot. Keep the water up and you shouldn't have any problems. When planting garlic DON"T use imported garlic cloves (mostly Chinese) as garlic is susceptible to a disease that can be found in imported garlic. Imported garlic is sometimes labelled with its country of origin but is commonly sold in supermarkets. All the best.
25 Feb 17, James (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks John.
18 Feb 17, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi just wondering if anyone has ever let their beetroot go to seed & might know whether it's worth trying to pickle them..?? or do they go woody, etc... Just seems a waste to do nothing with them...?
19 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot, like carrots, is a biennial, that means it grows one season and flowers and seeds the next. Root vegetables do go woody in their second season but there is no reason that you couldn't cut it up small or grate it and make pickles. You could also blend it to make beetroot dip. If there are a lot of beetroot and you like the dip idea just freeze it in recipe quantities. Don't forget to save some seed to use or share.
26 Nov 16, helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot has a whitish colour inside when cut in half but is planted with spinach
27 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Beetroot and Silver Beet are botanically the same plant - Beta vulgaris. One has been developed to have edible roots and the other to have edible leaves. Beetroot leaves are also edible. There are a number of reasons your query could have arisen. (1) If you had silver beet and beetroot growing in the garden and saved some seed, they may have cross-pollinated. (2) The seed may have come from the supplier like that. (3) There are many varieties and colours of beetroot; red, orange, yellow, white, and red and white rings. Was it an 'all red' variety that you planted. Let them keep growing, they will still taste the same. Trust this helps.
01 Nov 16, chris compaan (Australia - tropical climate)
moving to magnetic island always drank my beet root juice grown my own and made my own juice best possible times in tropical climate of magnetic island queensland do i need some sort of climate controlled room enviroment
28 Oct 16, Yannick (Australia - temperate climate)
I have transplanted some beetroot seedlings and they are starting to die? I have watered them regurlary. What should i I do?
18 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
All beets (root ones) are better if sown direct into the ground. They germinate fairly readily.
Showing 71 - 80 of 291 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Beetroot

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.