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When to plant Beets in Avery, CA

Avery sits in USDA Zone 9a. Plant Beets between March 18 (after last frost on April 8) and April 8. A second sowing from September 17 to October 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Beets in Avery, CA

Beets
Calaveras County, California Zone 9a June

June in Calaveras County, California — your action list

June is a pivotal month for Calaveras County, California gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Pick beets

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

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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.

Avery, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 2,363 feet, Calaveras County receives approximately 25 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Avery, CA (Zone 9a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Avery Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31

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 Avery

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Calaveras County is excellent for Beets — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Beets.

How to Plant Beets

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Beets

5
successive plantings in your 218-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 17.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 741 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Beets

Beets needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Beets Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 0.7" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.5" 0.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 0" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 0" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.5" 0.3" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.5" 1" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Calaveras County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Beets Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Beets needs ~735 GDD — county provides 2,670 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Avery, CA

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jun 10
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 – Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

218 days in Calaveras County

Growing Tips for Beets in Avery

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 08 in Calaveras 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Swiss chard — same species, they will cross.

When should I plant Beets in Avery, CA?

In Avery, CA, plant Beets after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Avery, CA for Beets?

Avery sits in USDA Zone 9a. Beets grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Beets grow in Avery's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Avery's temperate climate. Avery averages a 218-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Calaveras County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Calaveras County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Calaveras County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.