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When to Plant Beets in Oxford County, ME

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.

Oxford County, Maine is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 186 feet, Oxford County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Oxford County, ME (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Oxford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~690 GDD — county provides 1,564 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Oxford County, ME

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Jul 21
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 1

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 โ€”
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

136 days

Growing Tips for Oxford 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 Oxford County, ME?

Oxford County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oxford County, ME?

Oxford County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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