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When to Plant Beets in Richland 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.

Richland County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,020 feet, Richland County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Richland County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5

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 270 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, OH

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 6

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

174 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, OH?

Richland County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, OH?

Richland County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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