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When to Plant Beets in Madison County, VA

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.

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Madison County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Madison County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

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 (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 3

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 174 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,232 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, VA

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 25

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 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 7a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, VA?

Madison County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, VA?

Madison County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Madison County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.