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When to Plant Beets in Scioto 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.

Scioto County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 851 feet, Scioto County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Scioto County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Scioto County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,775 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Scioto County, OH

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 1

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 โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

182 days

Growing Tips for Scioto 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 Scioto County, OH?

Scioto County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scioto County, OH?

Scioto County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scioto County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Scioto County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.