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When to Plant Beets in Burnett County, WI

Burnett County, Wisconsin Zone 4a May

This month in Burnett County, Wisconsin

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

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Plant beets from seed, right in the garden

    Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.

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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.

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Burnett County receives approximately 30.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Beets to ensure they mature before fall.

Burnett County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burnett 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 (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22

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 Burnett 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 Burnett County is excellent for Beets — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Beets.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Beets will thrive.

How to Plant Beets

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Beets

3
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 109 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 2.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Burnett 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 ~555 GDD — county provides 1,248 GDD Excellent fit

Beets Planting Timeline — Burnett County, WI

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Jul 31
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 – Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August
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 4a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Burnett County

Growing Tips for Beets in Burnett County

Direct sow Beets outdoors after May 15 in Burnett 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 Burnett County, WI?

Burnett County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burnett County, WI?

Burnett County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Burnett County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burnett County (Zone 4a). 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 Burnett County, WI. 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.