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     S S S S S S
T T T T       T T T T T
P P P P       P P P P P

(Best months for growing Beetroot in Australia - temperate 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 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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14 Jan 23, Jen (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I try to thin my small seedlings when they are about 1” to 2”. I’d space the plants as directed 4” apart if you want beets, by snipping them with scissors. That way you don’t disturb the root. I often remove as many as I keep.
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18 Nov 22, Adilene (USA - Zone 10a climate)
You should thin them early on and make sure your soil isn't compacted.
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06 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Read how long it takes for beetroot to grow. No use worrying if they are only 5 weeks old if it takes 10 weeks to produce good size beets. Also don't over feed with too much nitrogen.
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02 Oct 19, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Very Impressed. Best site I have ever come across/ Thank you,
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Showing 21 - 24 of 24 comments
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Hi Helen, There are a number of ways to plant beetroot. If you want to harvest them at golf-ball size then plant them at 10cm spacings. If you want to harvest them when they are large then they need around 40cm spacing. There is one other way to plant them (only to harvest at golf-ball size) which is by planting 4 seeds in one hole and spacing those holes 15cm apart. Make sure that you only have 4 seeds in each hole and thin them if you have more after germination. With 4 seeds they will nicely push each other out to make a perfect bunch of beetroot and give you a much large yield. This also works well with onions, leeks, spring onion, spinach and corn among others. Daniel

- daniel

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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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