When To Plant Beets In Pa

If you’re planning your Pennsylvania garden, knowing when to plant beets in PA is the first step to a great harvest. Getting the timing right means you’ll enjoy sweet, tender roots instead of woody ones.

Beets are a fantastic crop for our state. They handle cool weather well and can even survive a light frost. This gives you two main planting windows each year: spring and late summer. Let’s break down the optimal schedule so you can plan your garden perfectly.

The best times to plant beets in Pennsylvania depend on whether you’re sowing in spring or for a fall crop. The goal is to avoid the peak summer heat, which can make beets bitter and stunt there growth.

Spring Planting Schedule

For a spring crop, you want to get seeds into the ground as soon as the soil is workable. This is typically 2-4 weeks before your area’s last average spring frost date.

Southern PA (Zones 6b-7a): Plant from late March through mid-April.
Central PA (Zones 6a-6b): Aim for early to late April.
Northern PA & Higher Elevations (Zones 5a-5b): Wait until mid-April to early May.

The soil temperature is a great guide. Beet seeds germinate best when soil is between 50°F and 85°F. They’ll sprout slow in colder soil, so patience is key.

Fall Planting Schedule

For sweeter beets often considered superior to the spring crop, plant in late summer. Time it so beets mature during the cool days of autumn.

Southern PA: Plant from early August to early September.
Central PA: Plant from late July to late August.
Northern PA: Plant from mid-July to mid-August.

Count backwards 8-10 weeks from your first average fall frost date. This gives the roots enough time to size up before heavy frosts, which actually improve their flavor.

Succession Planting for Continuous Harvest

Don’t plant all your beet seeds at once. Instead, sow a small row every 2-3 weeks during the planting window. This staggers your harvest. You’ll have a continuous supply of fresh, young beets over many weeks instead of a single, overwhelming glut.

Preparing Your Soil for Beets

Beets need loose, well-draining soil to form nice round roots. Heavy clay or rocky soil will cause misshapen or tough beets.

Loosen the Soil: Dig down at least 12 inches. Remove any stones or clumps.
Amend with Compost: Mix in 2-4 inches of finished compost. This improves drainage and fertility.
Check the pH: Beets prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple soil test kit can tell you if you need to adjust it.
Avoid Fresh Manure: Don’t use raw manure; it can cause excessive leafy growth and forked roots.

The Importance of Thinning

One beet “seed” is actually a dried fruit cluster containing 2-4 seeds. This means multiple seedlings will sprout from one spot. Thinning is non-negotiable for good roots.

Wait until seedlings are about 2-3 inches tall.
Gently pull out the smallest, weakest seedlings, leaving the strongest.
Aim for a final spacing of 3-4 inches between each plant.

Don’t waste the thinnings! The young, tender leaves are delicious in salads.

Caring for Your Beet Plants

Once planted, beets are relatively low-maintenance. Follow these simple tips for healthy plants.

Watering and Mulching

Consistent moisture is crucial, especially during root development. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or watering. A soaker hose is ideal. Mulch around plants with straw or shredded leaves to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool in summer.

Fertilizing for Success

If your soil was prepared with compost, additional feeding may be minimal. A side-dressing of a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer when roots begin to swell can be beneficial. To much nitrogen encourages big tops but small roots.

Common Problems and Solutions

Beets are trouble-free for the most part, but here’s what to watch for.

Leaf Miners: You’ll see squiggly white trails on leaves. Remove and destroy affected leaves. Floating row covers prevent the adult flies from laying eggs.
Flea Beetles: These tiny jumping insects create shotgun-like holes in leaves. Row covers and keeping the garden free of weed debris helps.
Poor Root Development: Usually caused by crowded plants (not thinning), compacted soil, or a nutrient imbalance. Ensure proper spacing and soil prep.

Harvesting and Storing Your Pennsylvania Beets

You can start harvesting beet greens whenever they look tasty. For the roots, they’re ready when they’re the size of a golf ball or larger (1-3 inches in diameter). Don’t let them get to big or they become fibrous.

To harvest, gently loosen the soil with a garden fork and pull up the plant. Twist off the tops, leaving about an inch of stem to prevent bleeding during cooking. Store unwashed beets in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several weeks. For long-term storage, they can be kept in a cool, humid root cellar or in damp sand in a cold garage.

Recommended Beet Varieties for PA Gardens

Some excellent choices that perform well in our climate include:

‘Detroit Dark Red’: A reliable, classic variety with deep red, sweet roots.
‘Golden’: A yellow beet that doesn’t bleed, with a mild, sweet flavor.
‘Chioggia’: An Italian heirloom with beautiful red and white concentric rings inside.
‘Cylindra’: A cylindrical beet that’s perfect for slicing and pickling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you plant beets in the summer in Pennsylvania?

It’s not ideal. Mid-summer heat stresses beet plants, leading to poor germination and bitter roots. Stick to early spring and late summer plantings for the best results.

How late can you plant beets in Pennsylvania?

For a fall harvest, you can plant up until about 8-10 weeks before your first hard frost. In some protected areas with row covers, you might push it a little later for a very late harvest.

Can beets survive a frost in PA?

Yes! Beet seedlings and mature plants can handle light frosts. A hard frost (below 28°F) will damage the foliage, but you can often still harvest the roots if you do it soon after.

Should I soak beet seeds before planting?

Soaking seeds for 12-24 hours can soften the seed coat and speed up germination by a few days. It’s helpful but not strictly necessary, especially if you keep the soil consistently moist after sowing.

With this simple schedule, you can confidently time your plantings. Whether you’re roasting them, pickling them, or enjoying the greens, homegrown beets are a rewarding addition to any Pennsylvania garden. Just remember the key: cool weather is there friend.