When to plant beets in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant beets in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 14 – May 3. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Alaska: May 7 · May 25 · Jun 12
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow beets in Alaska, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 14 – May 3). Space plants about 4 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed 0.75 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alaska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: leaf miner, flea beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: cercospora leaf spot, scab, damping off.
- Harvest (from about Jun 8 – Jun 28). Beet takes 50-70 days to reach harvest. Each wrinkled 'seed' is a cluster of 2-4 seedlings - thin to one or transplant the extras while tiny. Thinnings are edible greens.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the beet dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant beet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | - | May 13 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | - | Apr 29 – May 18 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | - | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | Mar 28 – Apr 16 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Feb 15 – Mar 6 |
When to plant beets in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | Apr 14 – May 3 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Alaska?
Sow beets in Alaska between April 14 and May 3. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Alaska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 2 and July 19, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alaska's first frost around September 13.
When will beets planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about June 8 to June 28, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.