Beets are sown two to four weeks before your last spring frost, once the soil reaches 40 °F, and again in summer for fall. Find your zone below, or enter your ZIP code for dates based on the weather station closest to you.
Beet dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Beet planting dates by zone
| USDA zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April 25 – May 9 |
| Zone 4 | April 18 – May 2 |
| Zone 5 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Zone 6 | April 3 – April 17 |
| Zone 7 | March 20 – April 3 |
| Zone 8 | March 3 – March 17 |
| Zone 9 | February 3 – February 17 |
Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
Why beets are sown before the last frost
Beets are a cool-season root crop. Their seed sprouts once the soil reaches about 40 °F, and the plants tolerate light frost. They grow best in mild weather, so they are sown two to four weeks before the last spring frost and again in summer for a fall harvest.
How to plant beets
- Loosen the soil 8–10 inches deep. Use raised rows where drainage is poor.
- Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 1–2 inches apart, in rows 18–24 inches apart.
- Expect seedlings in 7–14 days.
- Thin to 2–3 inches apart when plants get crowded.
- Water well once a week if it doesn’t rain.
Harvesting beets
Beets are ready about 7–9 weeks after sowing, when the roots are golf-ball size or a little larger. Young greens can be cooked along with the roots. Store the roots in plastic bags in the refrigerator for 1–2 weeks, and the tops for a day or two.
Frequently asked questions
Can beets handle frost?
Yes, light frost. Beets are sown two to four weeks before your last spring frost, once the soil is at least 40 °F.
Why do I have to thin beets?
Each beet seed is a cluster that produces 2–6 plants. Without thinning, the roots stay small.
Can I eat beet greens?
Yes. Young tops are mild and good cooked. Older leaves get large and strong-flavored.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.