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When to Plant Beets in Obion 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.

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,431 feet, Obion County receives approximately 44.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Obion County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Obion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 Obion County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2โ€“7.0) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Obion County, TN

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 11

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 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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Obion County

Growing Tips for Beets in Obion County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 02 in Obion 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 Obion County, TN?

Obion County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Obion County, TN?

Obion County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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