When to plant beets in zone 3a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3A

Growing SeasonZone 3a

Last frost ~May 30First frost ~Sep 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 30 · Sow May 30 · First harvest Jul 24 · Wrap by Aug 21

Last spring frostMay 30

Start seeds indoorsMay 30

Direct sowMay 30

First harvestJul 24

Last harvestAug 21

Fall succession sowJul 16

First fall frostSep 10

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 frost-free days. Beets tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 0 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 16 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 3a?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 3a that means sowing around May 30 and first picking around Jul 24.

Will beets survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 3a?

Yes — in zone 3a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 16 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full beets growing guide →