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When to plant Beets in Hoyleton,

For Hoyleton, gardeners: plant Beets March 26 through April 16 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from August 11 to August 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Beets in Hoyleton, IL

Beets
Hoyleton, IL Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Hoyleton, IL

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Hoyleton, IL this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 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.

Hoyleton, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,126 feet, Washington County receives approximately 33.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Hoyleton, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Hoyleton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 Hoyleton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.2) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help 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

4
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 11.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 122 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Washington 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 ~915 GDD — county provides 2,958 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Hoyleton, IL

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jun 18
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25

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 Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Washington County

Growing Tips for Beets in Hoyleton

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 09 in Washington 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 Hoyleton, ?

In Hoyleton, , plant Beets after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hoyleton, for Beets?

Hoyleton sits in USDA Zone 6b. Beets grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Beets grow in Hoyleton's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Hoyleton's temperate climate. Hoyleton averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Washington County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Washington County (Zone 6b). 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 Washington County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.