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When to Plant Beets in Cheshire County, NH

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.

Cheshire County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 708 feet, Cheshire County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Cheshire County, NH (Zone 5a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Cheshire County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,247 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Cheshire County, NH

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Jul 17

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 Direct Sow
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 5a

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Cheshire 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 Cheshire County, NH?

Cheshire County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheshire County, NH?

Cheshire County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cheshire County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cheshire County, NH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.