Root Vegetable

When to Plant Beets in Missouri

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

The Short Answer

In Missouri, soil conditions are an important factor for beets. Rich loess soils along Missouri River. Rocky Ozark soils in south. Heavy clay common. Generally fertile. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Beets can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

Missouri Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Missouri 5b, 6a Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 1 - Oct 15
Central Missouri 6a, 6b Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Missouri 6b, 7a Apr 1 - Apr 15 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Beets Planting Schedule for Missouri

Northern Missouri (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 5 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15

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

Central Missouri (Zones 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

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

Southern Missouri (Zones 6b, 7a)

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

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

Growing Beets in Missouri

Beets in Missouri's Climate

Beets are a reliable three-season crop in your climate. Direct sow from early spring through mid-July, plus a fall planting in August. They handle your clay soils better than most root vegetables. Fall beets sweetened by frost are the highlight — the cold converts starches to sugars for noticeably better flavor.

Soil Considerations for Missouri

Rich loess soils along Missouri River. Rocky Ozark soils in south. Heavy clay common. Generally fertile. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for beets since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Missouri Climate & Growing Season

Continental climate. Hot, humid summers. Four seasons. Good growing season in most of state. Beets can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Missouri's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Missouri: Northern Missouri (5b, 6a) has a last frost around Apr 20 - May 5, while Southern Missouri (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 1 - Apr 15. 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 Missouri, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Missouri gardeners should plan around a Apr 20 - May 5 last frost, while those in Southern Missouri 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 Missouri Planting Calendar All plants for Missouri 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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