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When to Plant Beets in Blaine County, MT

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.

Blaine County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 7,816 feet, Blaine County receives approximately 23.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Blaine County, MT (Zone 4a) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Blaine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 775 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Beets needs ~690 GDD — county provides 1,529 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Blaine County, MT

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 30

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 โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

133 days

Growing Tips for Blaine 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 Blaine County, MT?

Blaine County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Blaine County, MT?

Blaine County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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