Blog

When to Plant Beets in Phillips County, CO

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.

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 5,494 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Phillips County, CO (Zone 5a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 11

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,219 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Beets needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,379 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Phillips County, CO

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 13

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 5a

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Phillips 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 Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Phillips County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Phillips County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.