When to Plant Beetroot in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow February to June. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is February.

Also called beet.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Beetroot guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Beetroot

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Beetroot is one of the easiest root vegetables for Australian home gardeners, tolerant of a wide range of climates and soils. It produces both edible roots and nutritious greens, making it a dual-purpose crop. Nearly pest-free and quick to mature, it is an ideal beginner vegetable that can be grown year-round in most Australian zones.

Planting Calendar for Tropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D T/D - - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Beetroot sowing time in Cairns?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Beetroot included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 7–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Beetroot in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant March to August (dry season only). Avoid wet season. Humidity causes severe cercospora leaf spot and bolting from erratic temperatures. Best results from April-June sowings.

Soil
Well-drained, loose loam or sandy loam enriched with compost. Avoid heavy clay unless amended. Do NOT add fresh manure. It causes forked, hairy roots.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.
Spacing
10cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture is critical. Irregular watering causes woody, cracked roots. Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Drip irrigation or soaker hose preferred. Overhead watering in humid zones promotes ce

Companion plants: Onion, Silverbeet, Lettuce, Cabbage, Dwarf Beans, Dill

Avoid planting near: Runner Beans, Charlock (wild mustard), Field Mustard

Tropical Growing Tips for Beetroot

Recommended Varieties

  • Detroit Dark Red
  • Derwent Globe
  • Bull's Blood
  • Cylindra

Key Challenges

  • Cercospora leaf spot in humid conditions
  • Root-knot nematodes in sandy soils
  • Bolting if temperatures fluctuate wildly
  • Short shelf life in tropical heat

Pro Tips

  • Choose bolt-resistant varieties like Detroit Dark Red
  • Grow under shade cloth (30%) to moderate temperatures
  • Raised beds essential for drainage during unexpected wet season rain

Harvesting Beetroot

When ready: Roots visible at soil surface, typically 5-8cm diameter. Shoulders push above soil line. Leaves still green and vigorous. Baby beets can be harvested from 4 weeks at 3-4cm diameter.

How to harvest: Gently loosen soil with a garden fork alongside the row, then pull roots. Do not cut roots. Twist off tops leaving 3-5cm of stem to prevent bleeding. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 46 plants, about $121 worth at today’s Aldi and Woolworths prices, checked today.

That is roughly 12 kg at $10.48 a kilo.

Draw your beetroot bed → No account needed.

Where to next

What beetroot costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

The pest most likely to find your beetroot: Cutworms.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $10.48/kg (12-month range: $9.96–$12.80)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Beetroot

When do you plant beetroot in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does beetroot grow all year round in Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Feb to Jun. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is beetroot called?

Beetroot is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it beet. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.