When to plant beets in Maine
Maine’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maine's growing season.
When to plant beets in Maine: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 11 – Apr 30. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Maine: May 4 · May 22 · Jun 9
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 Maine, 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 11 – Apr 30). 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 Maine.
- 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 5 – Jun 25). 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 Maine’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maine (this page) | May 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 30 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 29 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 30 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Mar 23 – Apr 11 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Mar 23 – Apr 11 |
| New York | May 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
Questions gardeners in Maine ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Maine?
Sow beets in Maine between April 11 and April 30. That timing is set by Maine's average last spring frost of May 14.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Maine?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 14 and July 31, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maine's first frost around September 25.
When will beets planted in Maine be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about June 5 to June 25, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maine?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.