When to plant beets in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Beet needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant beets in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 2 – Apr 21. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: Apr 25 · May 13 · May 31
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 West Virginia, 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 2 – Apr 21). 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 West Virginia.
- 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 27 – Jun 16). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full beet growing guide.
Beet planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 21 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 18 – Apr 6 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 12 – Mar 31 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 13 – Apr 1 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant beets in West Virginia?
Sow beets in West Virginia between April 2 and April 21. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
Can I plant beets in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 24 and August 10, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will beets planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, beets are usually ready from about May 27 to June 16, 50-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.