When to plant beets in zone 5a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 10 · Sow May 10 · First harvest Jul 4 · Wrap by Aug 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMay 10

Direct sowMay 10

First harvestJul 4

Last harvestAug 1

Fall succession sowAug 6

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 5a?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around May 10 and first picking around Jul 4.

Will beets survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 6 for a second harvest before frost.

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