How to grow Beetroot in Australia
Sow beetroot direct in full sun in loose, free-draining soil free of fresh manure. Each seed cluster sprouts several seedlings, so thin them to one every 7 to 10cm or roots stay small.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 10 cm
- Time to harvest: 65 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | February to October | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | February to October | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | February to October | Longer cool-season window than SEQ; reliable March to October. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | February to April, August to October | Sow Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct. Winter sowings stall in cold soil; spring sowings race away. |
| Adelaide & SA | February to November | Sow Feb to Nov. Only Dec to Jan heat is hostile. Winter sowings are slow but steady; Feb to Apr and Aug to Oct are the sweet spots. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Mediterranean: avoid Jan to Feb. Beetroot sow Mar to Sept, thrives in mild climate autumn-winter. |
| Tasmania | September to February | Sow Sep to Feb. Late sowings store in the ground through winter. |
| Canberra & ACT | September to April | Sow Sep to Apr. Winter soil is too cold for germination; established roots tolerate frost well. |
| North Queensland | May to October | Dry season May to Oct. Beetroot prefers cooler months; avoid wet season. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to October | Dry season May to Oct. Beetroot prefers cooler months; avoid wet season. |
Companion planting
Good companions
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Brassicas
- Silverbeet
Avoid planting near
- Climbing beans
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Lift when roots are golf ball to tennis ball size, showing shoulders at the soil. Loosen the soil and pull by the leaf base, twisting off tops to store.
Storage
Fridge without tops, 2 to 3 weeks. Tops used within 3 days.