When to plant beets in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant beets in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 28 – Apr 16. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Nebraska: Apr 20 · May 8 · May 26
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 Nebraska, 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 28 – Apr 16). 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 Nebraska.
- 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 22 – Jun 11). 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 Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Mar 28 – Apr 16 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 26 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Feb 27 – Mar 18 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Nebraska?
Sow beets in Nebraska between March 28 and April 16. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 24 and August 10, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will beets planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 22 to June 11, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.