Blog

When to Plant Beets in Johnson County, TN

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.

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 404 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Johnson County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 102 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Beets needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,769 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, TN

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 23

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 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 6b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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