When to plant beets in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Apr 30 · Sow Apr 30 · First harvest Jun 24 · Wrap by Jul 22

Last spring frostApr 30

Start seeds indoorsApr 30

Direct sowApr 30

First harvestJun 24

Last harvestJul 22

Fall succession sowAug 15

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 15 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 6a?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 6a that means sowing around Apr 30 and first picking around Jun 24.

Will beets survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 6a?

Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 15 for a second harvest before frost.

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