Blog

When to Plant Beets in Coos County, OR

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.

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Coos County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Coos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15

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 Coos County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) 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

5
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 10 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 273 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 โ€” 5.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 3.1" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 0.6" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 3.5" 0.8" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 3.5" 3.3" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 3.5" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 5.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Coos 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 ~1,005 GDD — county provides 4,053 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Coos County, OR

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 31
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

242 days in Coos County

Growing Tips for Beets in Coos County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after March 22 in Coos 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 Coos County, OR?

Coos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coos County, OR?

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coos County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Coos County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.