How to grow Beetroot in Australia
Beetroot is an easy, quick root crop that grows in every Australian climate, including the tropics in the dry season. Sow it direct, thin it early and water evenly for sweet, tender roots in about 8 to 10 weeks. The leaves are good to eat too.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Beetroot in Australia
At a glance
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. |
Where to plant
Grow beetroot in full sun in loose, well-drained soil with compost dug in for a previous crop or a few weeks before sowing. Avoid fresh manure, which can make roots fork and hairy. In very hot weather a little afternoon shade helps.
Beetroot grows well in all Australian climate zones. It prefers the milder months, and cold soil slows germination.
- Sydney, Adelaide and South East Queensland: sow from about February to October; the summer heat of December and January is the only hostile time.
- Melbourne: sow from February to April and August to October. Winter sowings stall in cold soil.
- Perth: sow from March to September, avoiding the January and February heat.
- Hobart and Canberra: sow from September through summer into autumn. Roots that are established before winter tolerate frost.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, May to October.
How to plant
- Soak the seed in water for an hour or up to overnight to speed germination, if you like.
- Sow 1 to 2 cm deep in rows about 20 to 30 cm apart, or in blocks.
- Keep the soil moist; seedlings appear in one to two weeks.
- Each seed is a cluster that produces two or three seedlings. Thin them early to one plant every 7 to 10 cm, or the roots stay small. Eat the thinnings as salad leaves.
- Sow a short row every three or four weeks for a continuous supply.
Watering and feeding
Water evenly and regularly. A dry spell followed by heavy watering makes roots split and turn woody. Mulch between rows to keep the moisture steady.
A light, balanced feed is enough. Beetroot needs the trace element boron, and many soils are low in it; a seaweed tonic or a boron product used at the packet rate corrects it. Too much boron is harmful, so never guess the dose.
Pruning and care through the year
- Thin early and keep the bed weeded, as beetroot does not like competition.
- Mulch to keep soil moist and to stop soil splashing onto leaves, which spreads leaf spot.
- Pull up soil over any shoulders that push out of the ground if they start to toughen in hot sun.
Harvesting
Pull baby beets at about 3 to 5 cm across, or leave them to grow to about 6 to 8 cm. Large, old roots become tough and woody. Twist or cut off the leaves a few centimetres above the root.
Roots keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge with the leaves removed. Cook the young leaves like silverbeet or spinach.
Growing in pots
Beetroot grows well in a pot or trough at least 30 cm deep. Round varieties suit pots best. Thin to about 7 cm apart and keep the mix evenly moist.
Using it
- Roast, boil, grate raw into salads, pickle, or juice the roots.
- Young leaves are good in salads; older leaves are cooked like silverbeet.
Companion planting
Beetroot is easy to fit around other crops, and it shares the bed well with leafy greens and onions.
Good companions
- Lettuce A quick leafy crop that grows in the gaps between beetroot rows.
- Onion Narrow plants that use different space in the bed.
- Brassicas Cool-season crops with similar timing that leave room for beetroot between them.
- Silverbeet A close relative that grows in the same conditions; rotate both together.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to beetroot.
- Climbing beans Traditionally kept apart; tall climbers also shade the low beetroot.
Pests and diseases
Beetroot has few serious problems. Leaf spot is the most common in humid weather.
Pests to watch for
- Leaf miner Pale, winding tunnels or blotches inside the leaves. Pick off affected leaves.
- Snails Seedlings chewed off and holes in young leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Cercospora leaf spot Small brown spots with pale centres on leaves that spread and join, worst in warm, humid weather. Mulch to stop soil splash and remove spotted leaves.
Common questions
Why is my beetroot all leaves and no root?
Usually crowding. Each seed produces two or three seedlings, and unthinned plants compete so roots stay small. Thin to one plant every 7 to 10 cm while they are small. Too much nitrogen or too much shade also gives leaves instead of roots.
Should I soak beetroot seeds?
It helps. Soaking the seed for an hour or overnight before sowing speeds up germination, which can otherwise be slow and patchy.
When is beetroot ready to harvest?
Usually 8 to 10 weeks after sowing. Pull baby beets at about 3 to 5 cm across, or larger roots at about 6 to 8 cm. Big, old roots turn tough and woody.
Why does my beetroot have rings or dark patches inside?
Pink and white rings are normal in striped varieties such as Chioggia. Dark, corky patches inside the root can point to a lack of boron in the soil, which is common in beetroot.
Can you eat beetroot leaves?
Yes. Young leaves are good raw in salads and older leaves can be cooked like silverbeet or spinach.
Can beetroot grow in Queensland?
Yes. In South East Queensland sow it through the cooler months, and in the tropics sow in the dry season, from May to October.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Growing beetroot; Gardening Australia: Bountiful Beetroot; ABC Organic Gardener: Tips for growing the best organic beetroot; RHS: How to grow beetroot.