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When to Plant Beets in Johnston County, OK

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.

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 700 feet, Johnston County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Johnston County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Johnston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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.

Soil Compatibility in Johnston County

How your county's soil matches Beets's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.3) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Johnston County is excellent for Beets โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Beets will thrive.

How to Plant Beets

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Beets

5
successive plantings in your 231-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 415 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Johnston County, OK

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jun 3

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

231 days in Johnston County

Growing Tips for Beets in Johnston County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after March 25 in Johnston County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnston County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Johnston County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.