Zone 8a covers 26 days of last-frost dates. We measured Little Rock, AR at Mar 9 and Baltimore, MD at Apr 4. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 8a
Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 19 — about 249 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 Sep 24 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does beets take to grow in zone 8a?
Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 15 and first picking around May 9.
Will beets survive frost in zone 8a?
Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 19).
Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 8a?
Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 24 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full beets growing guide →