When to plant beets in Kentucky
Kentucky’s average last spring frost is April 18, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 185 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Kentucky's growing season.
When to plant beets in Kentucky: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 16 – Apr 4. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Kentucky: Apr 8 · Apr 26 · May 14
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 Kentucky, 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 (Mar 16 – Apr 4). 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 Kentucky.
- 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 May 10 – May 30). 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 Kentucky’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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.
When to plant beets in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (this page) | April 18 | Mar 16 – Apr 4 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
Questions gardeners in Kentucky ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Kentucky?
Sow beets in Kentucky between March 16 and April 4. That timing is set by Kentucky's average last spring frost of April 18.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Kentucky?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 8 and August 25, so the crop matures in cool weather before Kentucky's first frost around October 20.
When will beets planted in Kentucky be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 10 to May 30, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
On average around April 18, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 185 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.