Blog

When to plant Beets in Weippe, ID

Spring Beets in Weippe goes in May 3–May 24, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from July 20 to August 3 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Beets in Weippe, ID

Beets
Clearwater County, Idaho Zone 7a July

Your July game plan for Clearwater County, Idaho

Here's what deserves your attention in Clearwater County, Idaho this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Bring in the beets

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

  2. Plant your fall garden: beets

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Beets are a dual-purpose root vegetable with edible roots and nutritious greens. They come in red, golden, and striped varieties and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Weippe, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 7,800 feet, Clearwater County receives approximately 19 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Beets successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weippe, ID (Zone 7a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Weippe Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Weippe

How your county's soil matches Beets's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Clearwater County is excellent for Beets — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Beets.

How to Plant Beets

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Beets

3
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 20.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 293 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Beets

Beets needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Beets Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.3" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.5" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Clearwater County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Beets Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Beets needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,043 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Weippe, ID

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing July 20 Jul 20 – Aug 3

Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Clearwater County

Growing Tips for Beets in Weippe

Direct sow Beets outdoors after May 17 in Clearwater County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart. Harvest roots when 1.5-3 inches in diameter for best texture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Pole Beans
  • Mustard Greens

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Beets Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Wind Pollinated
How to Collect Replant roots for 2nd-year seeds. Rub stalks to free clusters.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Swiss chard — same species, they will cross.

When should I plant Beets in Weippe, ID?

In Weippe, ID, plant Beets after the last frost (around May 17) and before the first frost (around September 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weippe, ID for Beets?

Weippe sits in USDA Zone 7a. Beets grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Beets grow in Weippe's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Weippe's temperate climate. Weippe averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 17 and first frost around September 28.

🌱

Your Clearwater County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clearwater County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clearwater County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.