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When to plant Beets in Ohlman,

Ohlman's spring Beets window runs March 30 through April 20. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Beets in Ohlman, IL

Beets
Ohlman, IL Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Ohlman, IL

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: beets

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

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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.

Ohlman, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,331 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Ohlman, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21
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Ohlman Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21

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 Ohlman

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.2) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Beets.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Beets will thrive.

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 191-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 643 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 2.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.1" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 3.1" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Montgomery 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 ~960 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Ohlman, IL

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jun 22
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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
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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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Montgomery County

Growing Tips for Beets in Ohlman

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 13 in Montgomery 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 Ohlman, ?

In Ohlman, , plant Beets after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ohlman, for Beets?

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

Can Beets grow in Ohlman's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Ohlman's temperate climate. Ohlman averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Montgomery County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.