When to plant beets in Tennessee
Tennessee’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Tennessee's growing season.
When to plant beets in Tennessee: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 8 – Mar 27. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Tennessee: Mar 31 · Apr 18 · May 6
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 Tennessee, 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 8 – Mar 27). 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 Tennessee.
- 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 2 – May 22). 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 Tennessee’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (this page) | April 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Mar 3 – Mar 22 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Feb 20 – Mar 11 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Mar 16 – Apr 4 |
Questions gardeners in Tennessee ask
When is the best time to plant beets in Tennessee?
Sow beets in Tennessee between March 8 and March 27. That timing is set by Tennessee's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant beets in the fall in Tennessee?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 13 and August 30, so the crop matures in cool weather before Tennessee's first frost around October 25.
When will beets planted in Tennessee be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 2 to May 22, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.