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When to Plant Beets in Richland County, ND

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.

Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 791 feet, Richland County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Richland County, ND (Zone 4a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 9

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 855 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~645 GDD — county provides 1,644 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, ND

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 22

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 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

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, ND?

Richland County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, ND?

Richland County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richland 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 Richland County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.