Root Vegetable

When to Plant Beets in New Hampshire

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

The Short Answer

In New Hampshire, soil conditions are an important factor for beets. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Beets can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

New Hampshire Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 20	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Beets Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Southern New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Growing Beets in New Hampshire

Beets in New Hampshire's Climate

Beets grow beautifully in cold climates. Direct sow from mid-April — they germinate in soil as cool as 40°F. Fall beets from a July-August sowing taste sweeter after frost exposure. They tolerate clay soil better than carrots, making them the more practical root crop for gardeners without raised beds. Beets store for months in a root cellar.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for beets since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Beets can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New Hampshire's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 20. 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 New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

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