When to plant beets in zone 6b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Apr 20 · Sow Apr 20 · First harvest Jun 14 · Wrap by Jul 12

Last spring frostApr 20

Start seeds indoorsApr 20

Direct sowApr 20

First harvestJun 14

Last harvestJul 12

Fall succession sowAug 20

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 20 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 6b that means sowing around Apr 20 and first picking around Jun 14.

Will beets survive frost in zone 6b?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

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

Yes — in zone 6b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 20 for a second harvest before frost.

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