When to plant beets in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant beets in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 31 – Feb 19. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Feb 23 · Mar 13 · Mar 31
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 Louisiana, 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 (Jan 31 – Feb 19). 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 Louisiana.
- 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 Mar 27 – Apr 16). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Jan 31 – Feb 19 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 15 – Mar 6 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 10 – Jan 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Louisiana?
Sow beets in Louisiana between January 31 and February 19. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 3 and September 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will beets planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about March 27 to April 16, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.