Zone 8b covers 47 days of last-frost dates. We measured Fort Worth, TX at Feb 18 and Eugene, OR at Apr 6. 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 8b
Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 6 and first fall frost Nov 22 — about 261 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 27 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does beets take to grow in zone 8b?
Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Mar 6 and first picking around Apr 30.
Will beets survive frost in zone 8b?
Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 22).
Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 8b?
Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 27 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full beets growing guide →