Root Vegetable

When to Plant Beets in Mississippi

Two crops in one — eat the roots and the greens. Beets are cold-hardy and surprisingly easy.

The Short Answer

In Mississippi, soil conditions are an important factor for beets. Rich delta soils in west. Heavy clay in many areas. Sandy in pine belt. Acidic throughout. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Beets can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

Mississippi Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Mississippi you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Mississippi 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
Central Mississippi 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Mississippi 8b, 9a Feb 15 - Mar 5 Nov 15 - Dec 5

Beets Planting Schedule for Mississippi

Northern Mississippi (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Central Mississippi (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southern Mississippi (Zones 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 15 - Mar 5 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Beets in Mississippi

Beets in Mississippi's Climate

Beets are a cool-season root crop in warm climates. Sow from September through February. Your mild winter temperatures produce fast-growing, tender roots. Sandy soils grow decent beets with compost amendment. Harvest at 1.5-3 inches for the most tender texture.

Soil Considerations for Mississippi

Rich delta soils in west. Heavy clay in many areas. Sandy in pine belt. Acidic throughout. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for beets since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Mississippi Climate & Growing Season

Long growing season. Hot, humid summers. Mild winters. Two-season gardening possible. Beets can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Mississippi's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Mississippi: Northern Mississippi (7b, 8a) has a last frost around Mar 15 - Apr 1, while Southern Mississippi (8b, 9a) sees frost end around Feb 15 - Mar 5. This difference matters for beets — but beets handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.

Growing Tips

Each beet 'seed' is actually a cluster — thin to one plant after sprouting. Harvest at 1.5-3 inches for tender roots.

Companion Planting

Plant beets alongside these companions for better growth:

Onions Lettuce Cabbage Broccoli

Keep beets away from:

Pole Beans

The Bottom Line

Beets can be grown successfully across Mississippi, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Mississippi gardeners should plan around a Mar 15 - Apr 1 last frost, while those in Southern Mississippi can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Beets Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Mississippi Planting Calendar All plants for Mississippi Beets in Alabama Alabama planting dates Beets in Alaska Alaska planting dates Beets in Arizona Arizona planting dates Beets in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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