When to plant beets in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 6 · Sow May 6 · First harvest Jun 30 · Wrap by Jul 28

Last spring frostMay 6

Start seeds indoorsMay 6

Direct sowMay 6

First harvestJun 30

Last harvestJul 28

Fall succession sowAug 27

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 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 Aug 27 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around May 6 and first picking around Jun 30.

Will beets survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

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

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 27 for a second harvest before frost.

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

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