Beetroot Growing Guide

5 Steps to Beetroot Planting Success

• Choose a spot in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like sheep pellets and compost. 
• Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Beetroot can be planted year round in New Zealand. 
• Plant beetroot in rows about 50cm apart. 
• Feed beetroot with vegetable food throughout the growing season. 
• Water regularly and keep the soil moist. 

Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown beetroot.

Beetroot is an easy quintessential kiwi vegetable to grow. Hardy, durable and not particularly fussy, beetroot is ideal for both first-time and experienced gardeners. Traditionally red types of beetroot have been grown, but now yellow, white and orange varieties are back in vogue.

Prepare

Beetroot is a root crop that takes approximately three to four months to mature. Beetroot is a fairly easy crop to grow as long as the soil is well cultivated prior to planting. They don't enjoy wet, boggy or shady soils.

Beetroot can be sown in trays and transplanted when the seedlings have two true leaves - only take the stronger seedlings and leave the weaker seedlings.

Plant in full sun. Space seedlings 10-15cm apart and rows 20cm-30cm apart so they have room to grow.

Beetroot is also ideal for containers, tubs and raised beds. Beetroot will happily thrive in small areas as long as there is at least 20cm depth of soil.

Check out Tui Beetroot Seeds Cylindra and Detroit Dark Red for some tasty options!

Refer to our Planting Calendar for planting and harvest times in your region.

Plant

Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. Then you can add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.

Planting in garden beds

• Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain.
• Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
• Partly fill the hole with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole.
• Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Planting in pots and containers

• Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
• Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container.
• Fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix up to 3cm from the top.
• Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Nourish

Feed your plants and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your plants grow to their full potential.

Beetroot need phosphorus to develop, if there is too much nitrogen there will be plenty of foliage but not a lot of root development. 

Select a fertiliser specially blended for your crop like Tui Vegetable Food. Feed beetroot planted in pots and containers with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. Well watered, well nourished beetroot will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.

Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. While your beetroot are growing regularly apply a dose of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic to give them a welcome boost.

Harvesting

Harvest when the beetroot is the size you like to eat. You can see how big the top of the beet is before you dig it up from the ground. Dig them gently out of the soil, harvesting at separate intervals down the rows to allow smaller beets to develop. If you leave beetroot to get too large it can become a little tough. 

Protect your plants from the elements with layers of Tui Pea Straw Mulch, to help keep their roots moist and keep your garden weed free.

Be vigilant and stop unwanted insects and diseases from ruining your plants. Slugs and snails can be an issue - lay Tui Quash slug and snail control around young plants.