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

30 Sep 14, NANCY (New Zealand - temperate climate)
what is eating my beetroot bulb? Would this be slugs and snails Nearly all of my tennis ball size beetroot has disappeared !
26 Sep 14, jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Can I just clarify Sandys post. Acid soil is below 6pH - add lime, alkaline soil is above 8 - add sulphur. I never have ANY LUCK with beetroot - they are the bane of my life......:>>>
29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Tried growing beetroot for the 1st this year and a Sydneysider. Blood & Bone, pelletised all round manure and turned the soil over. Watered well, put seedlings in and then settled them in with seasol. Two weeks later, watered them in with 2 teaspoons of Boron. Apparently boron sets the beet. Pulled them up two weeks ago and they were the almost the size of a tennis ball. Water regularly. I just ensure that my soil is friable, as too stingy to buy the pH set and also do crop rotation.
25 Aug 14, Greg (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What feed is preferred for beetroot, onions and potatoes?
20 Jul 14, Happiness (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
can beetroot be planted in a banana plantation or near it or with maize,cassava,beans,pineapples
04 Jul 14, Tracey cartman (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why should i avoid growing beets with Asparagus, Carrots, Sweetcorn, Spinach
25 Aug 14, Carmel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus, Carrots, Sweetcorn, and Spinach will fight with beetroot's for room underground, certain nutrients, and water. Above-ground vegetables have different water and nutrient requirements, so generally you plant above-ground and below-ground together, but not with each other.
01 Nov 14, Toni (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks. I was wondering the same thing. That's very helpful to a new gardener like me
13 May 14, paul (Australia - temperate climate)
you can also eat like spineag
11 May 14, Rana (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How is it that some of us can't grow beets? I( and some of my gardening friends) follow all the advice and all I get is luscious leaves and thin dry beet. only about 0.01% grow to something less than a golf ball size and that takes much longest that the 7- 10 weeks mentioned.
Showing 201 - 210 of 367 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.