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When to Plant Beets in Forest County, WI

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.

Forest County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 556 feet, Forest County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Forest County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Forest County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 23

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Beets needs ~735 GDD — county provides 1,629 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Forest County, WI

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 5

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

133 days

Growing Tips for Forest 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 Forest County, WI?

Forest County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Forest County, WI?

Forest County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Forest County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Forest County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.