Blog

When to Plant Beets in Beaver County, UT

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.

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 7,589 feet, Beaver County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Beaver County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Beaver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 2

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 Beaver County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.8) overlaps with Beets's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Beets.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Beets.

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

3
successive plantings in your 131-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 21.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 365 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.3" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Beaver 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 1,801 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline โ€” Beaver County, UT

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 30
Fall Sowing July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

131 days in Beaver County

Growing Tips for Beets in Beaver County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after May 21 in Beaver 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 Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaver County, UT?

Beaver County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Beaver County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Beaver County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.