When to plant beets in zone 4b — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 4B

Growing SeasonZone 4b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 15 · Sow May 15 · First harvest Jul 9 · Wrap by Aug 6

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsMay 15

Direct sowMay 15

First harvestJul 9

Last harvestAug 6

Fall succession sowJul 31

First fall frostSep 25

Why these dates work in zone 4b

Zone 4b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 25 — about 133 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 31 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 4b?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 4b that means sowing around May 15 and first picking around Jul 9.

Will beets survive frost in zone 4b?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 4b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 25).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 4b?

Yes — in zone 4b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 31 for a second harvest before frost.

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