When to plant beets in Bend and Redmond, OR

Plant beets from seed, directly in the garden in Bend and Redmond, May 12 – Jul 7.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty: Moderate
Sun: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Spacing: Thin to 3 inches apart
Planting depth: ½ inch deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 60 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds May 12 – Jul 7, ½ inch deep, Thin to 3 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Harvest: Pull at golf ball to tennis ball size. The greens are edible too.

Varieties that do well here

Detroit Dark Red
Chioggia
Early Wonder

Watch out for

Leaf miners leave pale trails in the leaves. Pick off affected leaves and use row cover.

Each seed cluster sprouts several seedlings; thin to 3 inches apart.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant beets in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through July 7. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest beets?

About 60 days after planting. Pull at golf ball to tennis ball size. The greens are edible too.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

Klamath Falls, OR May 12 – Jul 7
Burns, OR May 14 – Jul 9
Baker City, OR Apr 27 – Jun 22

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Beets in every city