When to plant beets in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

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 sowAug 5

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 5 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 5b that means sowing around May 15 and first picking around Jul 9.

Will beets survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

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

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

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