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

(Best months for growing Beetroot in Australia - sub-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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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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27 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown Hon Tsai Tai for the last 3 years. I have 3 plants that are just about finished flowering. Lots of seed pods on them. Love watching the bees in the morning on the flowers.
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05 Apr 20, ange (Australia - arid climate)
container gardening in foam and fruit boxes.....how much depth will beetroot require....also carrots....meaning the space to really grow
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06 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
250-300mm of soil.
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21 Nov 19, Katie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
this website is great
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25 Sep 19, christine trujillo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i bought beetroot from Bunnings. i planted the seedlings 10 weeks ago and now i am ready to pick them, BUT the beetroot are a pale watery colour so i cooked one to see what would happen. It was tastelss and not a red colour at all. i had plenty of compost and good rich soil. great huge leaves, This is sometyhing i have never seen before and i have grown beetroot many times before, and they were lovely, red and tasty
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26 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had a problem a few years ago. Pale pink colour after I cooked them. I now grow from seeds Detroit & Bulls blood. Don't have too rich a soil, will produce a lot of leaves as you say. They may have been a mix up of beetroot variety. I bought celery seedlings from Bunnings for 5 years, when grown they were Italian parsley I think.
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10 Oct 19, anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a great crop of beetroot growing. About 150 plants in different gardens. I planted bulls blood. I just picked 20 great looking 75-100mm size beets. Cooked them for 1.5 hrs and whamo they are this pinkie colour. Same as I described above. I don't know if it is the variety or whether I over cooked them. Will cook for less time next time. Or I won't grow that variety again.
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25 Nov 19, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am going back to the Detroit variety.
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23 May 19, Reg Offord (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having problems getting Beetroot seeds to germinate
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