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When to Plant Beets in Mobile County, AL

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.

Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 101 feet, Mobile County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Beets may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Beets will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Mobile County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24

Mobile County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – May 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 6,051 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Mobile County, AL

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 10
Fall Sowing September 15 Sep 15 โ€“ Sep 29
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Mobile County

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

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Swiss chard โ€” same species, they will cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Beets in Mobile County, AL?

Mobile County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mobile County, AL?

Mobile County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mobile County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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