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When to Plant Beets in Beauregard Parish, LA

Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

May in the garden — Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

A quick May briefing for Beauregard Parish, Louisiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 7
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Pick 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.

Beauregard Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 206 feet, Beauregard Parish receives approximately 49.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Beets will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Beauregard Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Beauregard Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29

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 Beauregard Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.2) is more acidic than Beets prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Beauregard Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Beets will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

6
successive plantings in your 254-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 21.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Beauregard Parish). 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 ~1,095 GDD — county provides 4,635 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Beauregard Parish, LA

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 14 Feb 14 – Mar 7
Harvest April 11 Apr 11 – May 9
Fall Sowing September 21 Sep 21 – Oct 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

254 days in Beauregard Parish

Growing Tips for Beets in Beauregard Parish

Direct sow Beets outdoors after March 07 in Beauregard Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Beauregard Parish dries quickly — mulch Beets with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Beauregard Parish, LA?

Beauregard Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beauregard Parish, LA?

Beauregard Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Beauregard Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Beauregard Parish (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 Beauregard Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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