When to plant beets in zone 9a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Feb 28 · Sow Feb 28 · First harvest Apr 24 · Wrap by May 22

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsFeb 28

Direct sowFeb 28

First harvestApr 24

Last harvestMay 22

Fall succession sowOct 5

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 Oct 5 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 9a?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 28 and first picking around Apr 24.

Will beets survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 5 for a second harvest before frost.

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