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When to Plant Beets in Jackson County, MO

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.

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 563 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Jackson County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 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 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, MO

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
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

197 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Jackson County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.