When to plant beets in Gresham, OR

Plant beets from seed, directly in the garden in Gresham, Mar 15 – May 10. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 6–20.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Gresham's typical last spring frost is March 16. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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

1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
2. Plant seeds Mar 15 – May 10, ½ inch deep, Thin to 3 inches apart.
3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
4. Plant again Aug 6–20 for a fall harvest.
5. Harvest: Pull at golf ball to tennis ball size. The greens are edible too.

Common questions

Also plant in Gresham around the same time

• Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Carrots
• Kale
• Broccoli

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

• Portland, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Salem, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Eugene, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Roseburg, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Medford, OR Mar 15 – May 10

Full planting calendar for Gresham · Beets in every city