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When to Plant Beets in Caribou County, ID

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.

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 109 days.

At an elevation of 6,562 feet, Caribou County receives approximately 15.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Beets successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Caribou County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
109 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
109 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Caribou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 9

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 478 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~645 GDD — county provides 1,171 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Caribou County, ID

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 8
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

109 days

Growing Tips for Caribou 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 Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caribou County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Caribou County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.