When To Plant Beets In Kansas

If you’re planning your Kansas garden, knowing when to plant beets is key for a great crop. For optimal harvest timing, you need to sync your planting with Kansas’s unique climate, which splits the state into distinct growing zones. Getting this right means you’ll enjoy sweet, tender beets instead of woody, bitter ones. Let’s break down the simple schedule that will lead to your best beet harvest yet.

Beets are a cool-season crop, thriving in the milder temperatures of spring and fall. Kansas’s weather, with its hot summers and variable springs, makes timing crucial. The core principle is to plant so the beets mature during cool weather. This typically means two main planting windows: early spring and late summer.

Understanding Your Kansas Growing Zone

Kansas spans USDA hardiness zones 5b to 7a. This affects your first and last frost dates, which are your planting guideposts.

Northwest Kansas (Zone 5b-6a): Last spring frost around May 5-15. First fall frost around October 5-15.
Northeast & Central Kansas (Zone 6a-6b): Last spring frost around April 15-25. First fall frost around October 15-25.
Southern Kansas (Zone 6b-7a): Last spring frost around April 5-15. First fall frost around October 20-30.

These dates are averages; always watch your local forcast for the year’s specific conditions.

Spring Planting Schedule

Your goal is to get seeds in the ground 2-4 weeks before your last expected spring frost. The soil should be workable, not frozen or soggy.

South Kansas: Plant from late March to early April.
Central Kansas: Plant from early to mid-April.
North Kansas: Plant from mid to late April.

Spring-planted beets mature before the peak summer heat, which can make them tough and slow their growth.

Fall Planting Schedule

Fall is often the best time for beets in Kansas, as the cooling temperatures make them incredibly sweet. Count backwards from your first fall frost date.

Plant your seeds 8-10 weeks before that first expected frost. This gives them enough time to size up properly.

North Kansas: Plant from late July to early August.
Central Kansas: Plant from early to mid-August.
South Kansas: Plant from mid to late August.

You can even do succesive plantings every 2-3 weeks in late summer for a longer harvest.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

1. Preparing Your Soil

Beets need loose, well-draining soil. Rocks or heavy clay can cause misshapen roots. Work the soil to a depth of at least 8-12 inches.

Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0; a simple test kit can check this.
Remove any stones or large debris from the top few inches.

2. Planting the Seeds

Beet “seeds” are actually dried fruit clusters that contain multiple seeds. This is why seedlings often come up in clumps.

Create rows about 12-18 inches apart.
Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep, spacing them about 1 inch apart in the row.
Water the bed gently but thoroughly after planting.
Seeds typically germinate in 5-14 days, depending on soil temperature.

3. Thinning and Care

Once seedlings are 3-4 inches tall, you must thin them. This is critical for good root development.

Thin seedlings to stand 3-4 inches apart. Don’t feel bad about this—the thinnings are delicious in salads!
Keep soil consistently moist, not waterlogged. Uneven watering leads to cracked roots.
Apply a thin layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Varieties That Thrive in Kansas

Choosing the right variety can improve your harvest. Here are some reliable choices for our climate:

Detroit Dark Red: A classic, reliable variety with excellent flavor and good storage.
Chioggia: An Italian heirloom with beautiful red and white concentric rings inside.
Golden Beet: Has a milder, sweeter flavor and doesn’t “bleed” like red beets.
Early Wonder: Fast-maturing, good for getting a quick spring crop before heat hits.

Tips for Optimal Harvest Timing

Harvest timing affects flavor and texture. Here’s how to know when your beets are ready.

Beets are usually ready 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety.
For the most tender beets, harvest when roots are 1-3 inches in diameter. You can check size by gently brushing soil away from the shoulder of the root.
Don’t forget the greens! Young beet leaves are a nutritious harvest all on there own. Pick a few from each plant while the roots are growing.
For fall beets, you can leave them in the ground longer, even after a light frost. A hard freeze (below 30°F) is a signal to harvest everything.

If you leave them to get to large, they can become fibrous and less sweet.

Common Problems and Solutions

Kansas gardeners face a few specific challenges with beets.

Bolting

This is when the plant sends up a flower stalk prematurely, ruining the root. It’s caused by planting too late in spring (so the plant matures as it gets hot) or by a sudden cold snap after germination. Stick to the recommended planting windows to avoid this.

Pests

Leaf Miners: Create squiggly lines in leaves. Remove affected leaves and use row covers in spring.
Flea Beetles: Create tiny holes in leaves. Row covers and healthy soil are the best defense.

Generally, keeping plants healthy and using crop rotation is your best pest prevention strategy.

Poor Root Development

If you get lots of greens but small roots, the cause is usually overcrowding (not thinning enough), lack of sun (beets need 6+ hours), or to much nitrogen in the soil. Focus on balanced soil nutrition.

FAQ: Planting Beets in Kansas

Can I plant beets in the summer in Kansas?
It’s not recommended. Summer heat stresses the plants, leading to poor germination, bitter roots, and bolting. Stick to spring and fall.

How late can you plant beets in Kansas?
For a fall crop, aim to get seeds in the ground by late August in the north and early September in the south. You can use a light row cover to extend the season a few weeks if an early frost threatens.

Can I grow beets in containers in Kansas?
Absolutely! Choose a pot at least 12 inches deep. Use a quality potting mix, keep it watered, and thin seedlings just as you would in the ground. Container beets are great for patios.

Why did my beet seeds not germinate?
Old seeds or improper soil temperature are common causes. Beet seeds germinate best in soil between 50-85°F. Also, don’t let the seedbed dry out during the germination period.

By following these simple guidelines for when to plant beets in Kansas, you’ll set yourself up for a succesful and tasty harvest. With a little planning for the spring and fall windows, you can enjoy homegrown beets for months. Remember, the key is working with Kansas’s climate, not against it. Now, it’s time to get those seeds in the ground.