Root Vegetable

When to Plant Beets in Texas

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

The Short Answer

Beets in Texas are a cool-season crop that deserves more attention than they get. The mild winter growing window produces sweet, tender roots, and the crop grows fast enough for multiple successive plantings between October and March.

Texas Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Texas (Dallas) 7b, 8a Mar 10 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 20
Central Texas (Austin/SA) 8a, 8b Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 15 - Dec 5
South Texas (Valley) 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
Texas Panhandle 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
East Texas 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 20 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Beets Planting Schedule for Texas

North Texas (Dallas) (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 10 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 20

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

Central Texas (Austin/SA) (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

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

South Texas (Valley) (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

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

Texas Panhandle (Zones 6b, 7a)

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

East Texas (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 20 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

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

Growing Beets in Texas

State-Specific Growing Tips

North Texas: sow September through February. Central Texas: October through February. South Texas: November through January. Texas's alkaline soils may need slight acidification for beets — they prefer pH 6.0-7.0. Beets are moderately salt-tolerant, which is an advantage in some west Texas soils. Thin each multi-germ seed cluster to one plant. Harvest at 1.5-3 inches for the most tender roots.

Recommended Varieties for Texas

Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, and Golden. Bull's Blood for beautiful dark red leaves (the greens are the star). Texas A&M recommends beets as one of the easiest cool-season root crops.

Common Challenges in Texas

Heat ends the season — don't attempt summer beets. Cercospora leaf spot during humid periods. The alkaline soil challenge is real but manageable with light sulfur amendment.

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 in Texas with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Texas (Dallas) gardeners work with a last frost around Mar 10 - Mar 25, while East Texas sees frost end around Mar 1 - Mar 20. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. 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 Texas Planting Calendar All plants for Texas 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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