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When to Plant Beets in Haskell County, KS

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.

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Haskell County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Haskell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26

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 Haskell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.4) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Beets โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” 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 183-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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 469 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” 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 โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 2.5" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Haskell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Haskell County, KS

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 27
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Beets in Haskell County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 18 in Haskell 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 →

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 Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Haskell County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Haskell County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.