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When to plant Beets in Doniphan County County,

Doniphan County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Plant Beets between April 3 (after last frost on April 17) and April 24. A second sowing from August 9 to August 23 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Beets in Doniphan County, KS

Beets
Doniphan County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Your June gardening checklist

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Avg. last frost April 17
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Harvest beets as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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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.

Doniphan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 491 feet, Doniphan County receives approximately 26.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Doniphan County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Doniphan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 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.

Soil Compatibility in Doniphan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.3) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Doniphan 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 (4.1%) — 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 184-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 846 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 2.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Doniphan 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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Doniphan County, KS

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 24
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Jun 26
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 – Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Doniphan County

Growing Tips for Beets in Doniphan County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 17 in Doniphan 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Beets in Doniphan County, KS?

Doniphan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Doniphan County, KS?

Doniphan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Beets in Doniphan County, ?

In Doniphan County, , plant Beets after the last frost (around April 17) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Doniphan County, for Beets?

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

Can Beets grow in Doniphan County's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Doniphan County's temperate climate. Doniphan County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 17 and first frost around October 18.

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Your Doniphan County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.