When to plant beets in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Mar 15 · Sow Mar 15 · First harvest May 9 · Wrap by Jun 6

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 15

Direct sowMar 15

First harvestMay 9

Last harvestJun 6

Fall succession sowSep 20

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 20 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 15 and first picking around May 9.

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 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 8b?

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 20 for a second harvest before frost.

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