I am so disappointed, I had sown some beetroot (Cheltenham greentop) next to the tomato bed. The tomatoes are getting a git rampant but last time I checked the beets were still OK. yesterday I realised that all the tops had completely died back! As if all the life had been sucked out :( SO I ripped them all out. The roots were not developing. Could it be that tomatoes are too greedy?
Luckily I have some others growing next to the carrots, maybe I will have better luck. I LOVE beetroot but fail miserably at growing it! It is always too small, or doesn't develop properly. I am not sure what I do wrong...
I often grow a row of beetroot along the edges of my tomato beds and have not had any problems - always getting a good crop. Beetroot get sown first, well before tom planting-out time. I space the tomatoes quite well (say 16") and am rigorous with side shooting and de-leafing to allow light to the beetroot. I usually also include a third crop (e.g. oca) between the tomatoes. It does call for good soil and adequate water. Beetroot get harvested by the time the toms are about waist high.
Your description, without further clarification, sounds like either lack of water, or light.
Planting details of tried and tested beetroot/tomato/oca polyculture here:
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.com/2011/06/main-oca-bed-2011-if-it-aint-broke.html (http://oca-testbed.blogspot.com/2011/06/main-oca-bed-2011-if-it-aint-broke.html)
Not had any problems here antipodes. I shove it in wherever there is a space, but I do start it off in a seed tray at home. It's quite small when I plant out, but it always comes through. Don't despair, just plant some seedlings and tell them to get a move on. ;)
Evidently beetroot doesn't do well with quite a lot of things like carrots and leeks, onions and of course sparrows.. there may be others.
I also find it tricky but radish always seems ok as a marker. I've sown a patch in the poly as I'm short of space outside but it's well on its own although the beds each side have a large tomato plant in them.I'll watch as see .. Keep it thinned and watered and the best of luck. :)
Hmmm my neighbour had quite a lot of beetroot growing, wonder if I could scrounge a few thinnings to replant?
Next season I will really have to have a beetroot push and try some different varieties, see what works. I can get a few to table but they are usually quite small. I often shove them in any space I see :D But we have had two dry years, maybe that is not their favourite climate either.
I still have some Monoruba seeds, I will have a last ditch sowing and maybe try fleecing it to protect from too much sun?
I'm using Charles Dowding's How to Grow Winter Vegetables for the first time and he recommends sowing in June (which I've done); also May (for larger roots), and/or early July, for smaller ones. So you might yet manage a few baby ones. :) I've sown in modules because I'm pushed for space and am keeping the compost damp. I'll plant in containers if I can't find a suitable spot in the open ground.
Good luck with your beetrooting! ;D