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When to Plant Beets in Auglaize County, OH

Auglaize County, Ohio Zone 6a May

Your May gardening checklist

Each item below is timed to Auglaize County, Ohio's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: beets

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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.

Auglaize County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 691 feet, Auglaize County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Auglaize County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Auglaize County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31

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 Auglaize County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — 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 179-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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 86 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 3.1" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Auglaize 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 ~735 GDD — county provides 2,192 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Auglaize County, OH

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Jul 4
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
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Auglaize County

Growing Tips for Beets in Auglaize County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after April 25 in Auglaize 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 Auglaize County, OH?

Auglaize County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Auglaize County, OH?

Auglaize County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.

🌱

Your Auglaize County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Auglaize 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 Auglaize County, OH. 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.