How to Grow Beetroot
Beta vulgaris
Beetroot is a fast, cool-season root crop for full sun and loose, fertile, free-draining soil. Direct sow from spring in shallow drills; thin promptly for even roots. Keep soil evenly moist to avoid woody or split bulbs. Succession sow every few weeks for a steady harvest. Baby beets are sweetest; harvest when golf- to tennis-ball sized. Leaves are edible too. Avoid fresh manure and stony ground, which cause forking. In hot spells, provide light shade and water well to prevent bolting.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 7°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light balanced feed at sowing. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote leaves over roots.
- Soak seeds overnight before sowing for faster germination. Each seed cluster produces multiple seedlings — thin early.
Companion Planting
Onions, Cabbage, Broccoli
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 7°C+
- Germination temperature
- 10–25°C
Pet Safety
- Direct sow
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 10 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 2 cm |
| Mature height | 35 cm |
| Mature spread | 20 cm |
Allows for good root development. Thin seedlings to this final spacing.
Companion Planting
Grows well with
Onions' sulphur compounds deter leaf miners and aphids that attack beetroot foliage, while beetroot's deep taproot aerates soil at a different horizon than the shallow onion bulb. They complement each other without competing.
▼Beetroot and cabbage occupy different root zones — beetroot's deep taproot draws minerals from lower layers while cabbage's fibrous roots feed near the surface, minimising nutrient competition. Beetroot also adds potassium to the root zone that benefits neighbouring brassicas.
▼Beetroot's deep roots mine calcium and boron from lower soil horizons and, as they decay, release these minerals near the surface where broccoli's fibrous roots can access them. The pairing works best when beetroot is sown a few weeks before transplanting broccoli.
▼Lettuce's shallow, spreading roots and low profile let it fill the gaps between beetroot plants, making full use of bed space without root competition. Harvest lettuce before beetroot canopy expands to avoid shading.
▼Garlic's allicin-rich root exudates suppress soilborne fungi including Botrytis that can rot beetroot crowns, acting as a natural fungicidal mulch at root level. Plant garlic cloves 10–15 cm from beetroot rows.
▼Keep away from
Runner beans fix atmospheric nitrogen and release it gradually via root nodule turnover — but the resulting nitrogen spike suppresses beetroot's sugar development and promotes excessive leafy growth at the expense of the root. Separate by at least 60 cm.
▼Pests & Diseases
Pest Beet Leaf Miner
Identification: Pale blotchy mines within leaves where larvae tunnel between upper and lower leaf surfaces, leaves become papery
- Squash larvae within the leaf mines by pressing between finger and thumb
- Remove and destroy badly affected leaves
- Cover with fine mesh to prevent adult flies laying eggs
- No effective chemical treatments for home gardeners once larvae are inside leaves
Pest Black Bean Aphid
Identification: Dense colonies of black insects on leaves and stems, sticky honeydew, sooty mould
- Strong jet of water to dislodge
- Insecticidal soap spray
- Encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
- Fatty acid sprays
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Seedlings eaten at ground level, irregular holes in young leaves, slime trails
- Beer traps
- Nematode biological control
- Evening hand-picking
- Ferric phosphate slug pellets
Disease Cercospora Leaf Spot Cercospora beticola
Symptoms: Small circular spots with grey centres and dark purple-brown borders on leaves
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves, avoid overhead watering
Prevention: Rotate crops, space plants for good airflow, remove crop debris at end of season
Disease Downy Mildew Peronospora farinosa f. sp. betae
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grey-purple fuzzy growth underneath, leaves curl and die
Treatment: Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overcrowding, water at soil level, ensure good drainage
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 7°C |
| Germination temperature | 10–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 9h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Beetroot?
- Plant Beetroot 10cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- What grows well with Beetroot?
- Beetroot grows well with onions, cabbage, broccoli.
- Is Beetroot frost hardy?
- Beetroot is classified as Hardy.
