When to plant beets in Maryland
Maryland’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 189 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maryland's growing season.
Maryland 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 Maryland: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 12 – Mar 31. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Maryland: Apr 4 · Apr 22 · May 10
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 Maryland, 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 12 – Mar 31). 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 Maryland.
- 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 6 – May 26). 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 Maryland’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland (this page) | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 18 – Apr 6 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
Questions gardeners in Maryland ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Maryland?
Sow beets in Maryland between March 12 and March 31. That timing is set by Maryland's average last spring frost of April 14; Maryland spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Maryland?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 8 and August 25, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maryland's first frost around October 20.
When will beets planted in Maryland be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 6 to May 26, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maryland?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 189 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.