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When to Plant Beets in Knott County, KY

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.

Knott County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 2,201 feet, Knott County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Knott County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Knott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 4

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 59 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,581 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Knott County, KY

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 2

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 โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Knott 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 Knott County, KY?

Knott County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Knott County, KY?

Knott County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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