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When to Plant Beets in Washington County, OR

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.

Washington County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 352 feet, Washington County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Washington County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,681 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, OR

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 24

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 Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, OR?

Washington County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, OR?

Washington County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Washington County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.