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When to Plant Beets in Geary County, KS

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.

Geary County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 610 feet, Geary County receives approximately 31.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Geary County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Geary County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 608 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Beets needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,008 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Geary County, KS

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 24

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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

188 days

Growing Tips for Geary 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 Geary County, KS?

Geary County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Geary County, KS?

Geary County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Geary County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Geary County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.