When to plant beets by zone
Beta vulgaris is a cool-season crop that is semi-hardy to frost. Rule of thumb: direct sow from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after the last frost; for a fall crop, sow or plant 8–10 weeks before the first fall frost.
Beets planting dates by zone
Each row uses the median 30%-risk frost dates of the major cities in that zone; rows marked * have no major city and use the median of NOAA stations in that zone instead. Frost dates vary a lot within a zone, so use your city page for local dates. In frost-free climates: Sep 15 – Feb 28.
| Zone | Median last frost | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a* | May 29 | — | — | May 8 – Jun 19 | — |
| 1b* | May 29 | — | — | May 8 – Jun 19 | — |
| 2a | May 21 | — | — | Apr 30 – Jun 11 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 |
| 2b* | May 20 | — | — | Apr 29 – Jun 10 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 |
| 3a* | Jun 4 | — | — | May 14 – Jun 25 | — |
| 3b* | May 24 | — | — | May 3 – Jun 14 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| 4a | May 12 | — | — | Apr 21 – Jun 2 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| 4b | May 5 | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| 5a | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| 5b | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| 6a | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 25 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| 6b | Apr 26 | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| 7a | Apr 22 | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| 7b | Apr 10 | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| 8a | Apr 1 | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| 8b | Mar 22 | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| 9a | Mar 11 | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| 9b | Feb 12 | — | — | Jan 22 – Mar 5 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
| 10a | Jan 26 | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 16 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
| 10b | Jan 27 | — | — | Jan 6 – Feb 17 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| 11a | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
| 11b* | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
| 12a* | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
| 12b | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
| 13a* | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
| 13b* | Rare | Sep 15 – Feb 28 | |||
Growing tips
- Each seed is a cluster — thin to one seedling.
- Greens are edible at every stage.
- Beets tolerate light frost and store well in cool soil.
Related guides: which frost date to use · succession and fall planting.
Exact dates for your city
Popular: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fort Worth, San Jose — or browse all cities by state.
Other crops: Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce, Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Zucchini & Summer Squash, Cucumber, Carrot, Onion, Potato, Basil, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Peas, Eggplant, Cabbage, Radish, Strawberry
Beets planting questions
When can I plant beets outside?
Sow seed directly from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after the last frost, once the soil reaches about 50°F (10.0°C). Examples: zone 5a (median last frost May 4): Apr 13 – May 25; zone 6b (median last frost Apr 26): Apr 5 – May 17; zone 8a (median last frost Apr 1): Mar 11 – Apr 22.
Can I grow beets as a fall crop?
Yes. Sow or plant 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost. For a first frost around Oct 15, that is Aug 6 – Aug 20. Add about two weeks to the days to maturity for slower fall growth — see fall planting.
How long does beets take to grow?
50–70 days from sowing. As a semi-hardy cool-season crop it grows best in cool weather, so spring plantings should mature before summer heat, and fall plantings need about two extra weeks because days are shorter.
What soil temperature does beets need?
At least 50°F (10.0°C) at planting depth. Cold soil slows germination more than a short delay in planting does, so in a cold spring it pays to wait a week past the usual date. As a semi-hardy crop, beets tolerates light frost.
How far apart should I plant beets?
Recommended in-row spacing: 3–4 in. Each seed is a cluster — thin to one seedling.
When do you plant beets where frost is rare?
In frost-free climates, plant beets Sep 15 – Feb 28, timing growth for the mildest months. This applies to cities such as Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA.