Beets
Dates below are counted from the average last spring frost or the average first fall frost. Enter a ZIP in the calendar for NOAA 1991–2020 station averages, or pick a zone and use the zone table.
When to plant
Soil and site
Loose, well-drained soil, pH 6.0–7.0. Avoid fresh manure and remove rocks — obstructions fork the roots.
Seedlings
Each beet “seed” is a cluster of 2–4 seeds. Thin to the strongest per spot by snipping (not pulling) at 2 in tall.
In the garden
Keep evenly moist for smooth roots. Row spacing 12 in. Light frost sweetens them noticeably.
Picking
Pull at 1½–3 in diameter for the best texture. Greens are excellent eating from thinnings onward.
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Dates by zone
These pages turn the same frost offsets into calendar dates for each zone the calendar covers.