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When to Plant Beets in Rush 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.

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Rush County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Rush County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Rush County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 885 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,523 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Rush County, KS

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 3

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 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

174 days

Growing Tips for Rush 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 Rush County, KS?

Rush County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rush County, KS?

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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