When to plant beets in New Mexico
New Mexico’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 183 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Mexico's growing season.
New Mexico 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 New Mexico: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 18 – Apr 6. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in New Mexico: Apr 10 · Apr 28 · May 16
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 New Mexico, 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 18 – Apr 6). 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 New Mexico.
- 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 12 – Jun 1). 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 New Mexico’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in New Mexico
New Mexico spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico (this page) | April 20 | Mar 18 – Apr 6 |
| Arizona | March 15 | Feb 10 – Mar 1 |
Questions gardeners in New Mexico ask
When is the best time to plant beets in New Mexico?
Sow beets in New Mexico between March 18 and April 6. That timing is set by New Mexico's average last spring frost of April 20; New Mexico spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant beets in the fall in New Mexico?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 8 and August 25, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Mexico's first frost around October 20.
When will beets planted in New Mexico be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 12 to June 1, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in New Mexico?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 183 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.