Beets planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Beets is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors
April 3 – April 24
Expected first harvest
June 4 – July 2
Fall planting window
July 16 – August 6
Fall harvest window
September 16 – October 14

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
3″
Row spacing
12″
Seed depth
0.5″
Soil temperature
50–75°F
Frost tolerance
hardy
Days to harvest
55 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

Each seed cluster contains multiple embryos — thin ruthlessly to 3 inches or roots stay small.

Plant near: onions, brassicas, lettuce

Keep away from: pole beans

Other root crops for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.