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When to Plant Beets in Kenedy County, TX

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.

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 1,757 feet, Kenedy County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Beets may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Beets root diseases.

Kenedy County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13

Kenedy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (237 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 15 – Apr 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (219 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – May 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (209 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – May 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 Kenedy County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.5) is within Beets's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help 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

7
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 18.

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

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€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 2" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Mar 3.5" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 9.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 7.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 3.2" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Kenedy 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 ~1,545 GDD — county provides 7,828 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Kenedy County, TX

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Harvest March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing October 18 Oct 18 โ€“ Nov 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

303 days in Kenedy County

Growing Tips for Beets in Kenedy County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after February 13 in Kenedy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101ยฐF in Kenedy County, provide afternoon shade for Beets and water deeply in the morning.

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 Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kenedy County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Kenedy County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.