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When to Plant Beets in Kodiak Island Borough, AK

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.

Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 2,281 feet, Kodiak Island Borough receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 60ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Kodiak Island Borough, AK (Zone 6a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Kodiak Island Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 17

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 ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Kodiak Island Borough, AK

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 4
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

139 days

Growing Tips for Kodiak Island Borough

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 Kodiak Island Borough, AK?

Kodiak Island Borough is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kodiak Island Borough, AK?

Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kodiak Island Borough gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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