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When to Plant Beets in Benton County, WA

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.

Benton County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 2,633 feet, Benton County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Benton County, WA (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 13

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,001 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,312 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Benton County, WA

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 10
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 12

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

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

207 days

Growing Tips for Benton 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 Benton County, WA?

Benton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, WA?

Benton County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benton 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 Benton County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.