When to plant beets
Short answer
Plant beets about 3 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 25. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Jan 1 | Feb 18 |
| Zone 2 | — | Jan 25 | Mar 21 |
| Zone 3 | — | Feb 17 | Apr 13 |
| Zone 4 | — | Mar 9 | May 3 |
| Zone 5 | — | Mar 25 | May 19 |
| Zone 6 | — | Apr 9 | Jun 3 |
| Zone 7 | — | Apr 24 | Jun 18 |
| Zone 8 | — | May 11 | Jul 5 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Beets is a semi-hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant beets?
Sow beets directly about 3 weeks before your last spring frost — it tolerates cold. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 9; in a colder zone 6, Apr 9.
Can I direct sow beets?
Yes — beets is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until beets is ready to harvest?
About 55 days from transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around Apr 9 are typically ready near Jun 3.