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When to plant Beets in Mower County, MN

In Mower County, plant Beets in spring between April 21 and May 12, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Mower County's last frost averages April 28, so be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. For a fall crop, sow between July 15 and July 29 — roughly 50–70 days before the first frost on October 7.

When to Plant Beets in Mower County, MN

Beets
Mower County, Minnesota Zone 4b July

July in the garden — Mower County, Minnesota

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Mower County, Minnesota.

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Start harvesting beets

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

  2. Plant your fall garden: beets

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

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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.

Mower County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 577 feet, Mower County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Mower County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Mower County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6

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 Mower County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–6.7) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Beets will thrive.

How to Plant Beets

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Beets

3
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 15.

Beets Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Mower 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 ~690 GDD — county provides 1,863 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Mower County, MN

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 – Jul 14
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Mower County

Growing Tips for Beets in Mower County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 28 in Mower 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 Mower County, MN?

Mower County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mower County, MN?

Mower County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 7.

When should I plant Beets in Mower County, MN?

In Mower County, MN, plant Beets after the last frost (around April 28) and before the first frost (around October 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mower County, MN for Beets?

Mower County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Beets grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Beets grow in Mower County's climate?

Yes — Beets grows well in Mower County's temperate climate. Mower County averages a 162-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 28 and first frost around October 7.

🌱

Your Mower County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mower County (Zone 4b). 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 Mower County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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