Blog

When to Plant Beets in Delaware County, OH

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.

Delaware County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,281 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Delaware County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 1

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 364 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,461 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Delaware County, OH

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 4

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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Delaware 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 Delaware County, OH?

Delaware County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, OH?

Delaware County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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