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When to Plant Beets in Milwaukee County, WI

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.

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,100 feet, Milwaukee County receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Beets during the growing season.

Milwaukee County, WI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Milwaukee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Beets Planting Timeline — Milwaukee County, WI

Beets Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 – Jul 6
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

167 days in Milwaukee County

Growing Tips for Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County, WI?

Milwaukee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Beets planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Milwaukee County, WI?

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Milwaukee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Milwaukee County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Milwaukee County, WI. 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.