edenhana

Beetroot

Dual-purpose crop: harvest young for tender roots and leaves, or leave to size up for pickling and storage.

Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
10cm
Harvest
Ready in 55-75 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
1 root per plant
Cost to grow
~$6 NZD
Grocery value
~$30 NZD
Companion plants
Brassicas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce, Onions, Sage
Plants to avoid nearby
Runner beans
Common diseases
Cercospora leaf spot
Common pests
Aphids, Leaf miner

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: January-April and August-December. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: January-March and September-December. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: January-February and September-December. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: January and September-December.

Growing stages

  1. Germination & sowing

    • Sow direct; each seed cluster produces several seedlings that will need thinning
    • A full-sun position with even moisture helps clusters germinate evenly and reduces forked roots

  2. Seedling & establishment

    • Thin seedlings to allow roots room to develop
    • Aphids and leaf miner can appear on young leaves

  3. Root & leaf development

    • This dual-purpose crop can be harvested young for tender roots and leaves, or left to size up for pickling and storage
    • Cercospora leaf spot can appear on foliage in damp conditions; remove affected leaves to limit spread
    • Keep checking for aphids and leaf miner as leaves bulk up

  4. Harvest55-75 days from sowing

    • Lift roots once they reach the desired size, or keep picking young leaves throughout
    • Cercospora leaf spot can persist on foliage right up to harvest in damp conditions, so keep checking leaves

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