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When to Plant Beets in Tipton County, TN

Beets

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.

Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 3,877 feet, Tipton County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Tipton County, TN (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
215 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Tipton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Beets

Beets needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Beets Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Tipton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Beets Planting Timeline — Tipton County, TN

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jun 8
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Tipton County

Growing Tips for Tipton County

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 Tipton County, TN?

Tipton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tipton County, TN?

Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.

🌱

Your Tipton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Tipton County (Zone 8a). 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 Tipton County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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