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When to Plant Beets in Martin County, TX

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.

Martin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 4,922 feet, Martin County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Beets may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Beets will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Beets root diseases.

Martin County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Martin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6

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 Martin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2โ€“8.7) is more alkaline than Beets prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Martin County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Beets will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 232-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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Beets needs ~1,500 GDD — county provides 5,800 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, TX

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
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 Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

232 days in Martin County

Growing Tips for Beets in Martin County

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

Sandy soil in Martin County dries quickly โ€” mulch Beets with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 100ยฐF in Martin County, provide afternoon shade for Beets and water deeply in the morning.

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 Martin County, TX?

Martin 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 Martin County, TX?

Martin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Martin County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Martin County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.