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When to Plant Beets in Marshall 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.

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 520 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Marshall County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.8) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Beets.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Beets.

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 233-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,525 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Beets

Beets needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Beets Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Apr 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.5" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 3.5" 3" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3.5" 1.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 3.5" 0.9" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Marshall County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Beets Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Beets needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,427 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, OK

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jun 2
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
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 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

233 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Beets in Marshall County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after March 24 in Marshall 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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