Roots & bulbs
Beetroot
Tender roots, with edible leaves as a bonus.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Temperate
Sow · Jul-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, July, August, September, October, November, December
Subtropical
Sow · Feb-Nov
Core months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Tropical
Sow · Mar-Jun
Core months: March, April, May, June
Arid
Sow · Feb-Nov
Core months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Getting started
Sow directly into a prepared bed. A seed cluster may produce several seedlings, so thin crowded plants to allow the roots to develop.
The right conditions
Use fertile, well-drained soil with a fine surface. Keep the seedbed moist while seedlings emerge; a dry, hard crust can make emergence difficult.
As it grows
Water during dry spells to keep growth steady, and remove competing weeds. For a continuing supply, make smaller successive sowings within the calendar window.
Ready to harvest
Lift roots while they are tender and at the size you want. Young leaves are also edible, but leave foliage on plants you are keeping to grow larger roots.
Related how-to guides
Lift root crops without snapping them
Check a sample root and the variety’s harvest guidance.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.