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When to Plant Beets in McPherson 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.

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

McPherson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

McPherson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,436 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” McPherson County, KS

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
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

191 days

Growing Tips for McPherson 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 McPherson County, KS?

McPherson 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 McPherson County, KS?

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McPherson County 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 McPherson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.