Blog

When to Plant Beets in Prince George's County, MD

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.

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 322 feet, Prince George's County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Prince George's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Prince George's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,902 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Prince George's County, MD

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 – Sep 15
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jun 10

Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate — regular watering

Days to Maturity

50–70 days

Soil pH

6 – 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Prince George's 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

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Swiss chard — same species, they will cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Beets in Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince George's County, MD?

Prince George's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Prince George's County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Prince George's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.