How to grow Beetroot

Starting your first Beets from seed can seem like a challenging and confusing prospect, but it's actually quite simple. Follow our growing guide to have beautiful Beetroot in your garden!

Plant Beetroot in rich soil, which is light and well draining. Plenty of added compost to retain moisture.

Beetroot plants prefer full sun, however will tolerate a partial sun or afternoon shade position. 

Beetroot plants will tolerate light frost. 

Plant Beetroot a minimum of 15cm apart in order for the bulb to grow to its full size. 

Beetroot are cool season crops. Usually planted in autumn, depending on your climate.

You can succession plant throughout the year for a continuous crop as long as temperatures stay below 25°C (77°F). 

Work in an organic fertiliser into the soil before planting your Beetroot, water regularly and mulch the soil around the beets to retain moisture. 

You will generally see the Beetroot bulb come up just above the surface of the soil, when it's close to, or ready for harvest. Harvest the beetroot anywhere between a golf ball to tennis ball size. Beetroot leaves and stems are also edible. 

Pests which can affect Beetroot include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Darkling Beetle, Leafminer, Leafhopper. 

Diseases that can affect Beetroot include: Bacterial Blight, Scab, Curly Top Disease, Beet Western Yellow Virus, Leaf Spot, Damping-off, Downy Mildew, Fusarium Yellows and Root Rot, Powdery Mildew, Beet Cyst Nematode, Root Knot Nematode. 

Water Beetroot plants frequently and consistently throughout the growing season.