When to plant beets in John Day, OR

Plant beets from seed, directly in the garden in John Day, Apr 30 – Jun 25. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 10–24.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

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

Why these dates

John Day's typical last spring frost is May 28. 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.

How to grow beets in John Day

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Apr 30 – Jun 25, 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.
Plant again Jul 10–24 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Pull at golf ball to tennis ball size. The greens are edible too.

Key numbers

2–4Seeds per cluster
3 inchesThin to
6.0–7.5Soil pH
50–85°FSoil to sprout
Golf to tennis ball sizePull at
2–4 months coldKeeps

How it works

The plant biology behind the advice above, in plain language.

One seed, several seedlings

A beet "seed" is actually a dried fruit cluster containing two to four seeds, so seedlings come up in small clumps. Thin to one plant every 3 inches once they're a couple of inches tall; crowded beets grow leaves instead of roots. Monogerm varieties have one seed per cluster and need less thinning.

Soil, pH and boron

Beets grow best in loose soil with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5 and don't do well in acidic soil. They also need more boron than most vegetables. A shortage causes black, corky spots inside the root and dying leaf centers. If that's happened before, test the soil; if boron is low, add it in very small amounts, since too much is toxic to plants.

Temperature

Beet seeds sprout in soil from about 50 to 85°F. Plants grow best in cool weather. Beets are biennials, and a long cold spell after planting can make spring plantings bolt, so wait until the soil has warmed a bit. White rings inside the root usually come from fluctuating temperatures or heat stress and don't affect flavor much.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist. Dry spells make roots woody and tough, and a sudden soak after drought can split them. A light mulch helps once seedlings are up.

Pests

Leaf miners tunnel through the leaves, leaving pale, papery blotches. Pick off affected leaves early and cover young plants with row cover. Slugs go after seedlings.

Harvest and storage

Pull beets at golf ball to tennis ball size, when they're most tender. Leave an inch of stem when trimming the tops so the roots don't bleed. The red color comes from betalains, water-soluble pigments that stain; golden beets are less messy. The greens are edible too. Stored cold and humid, in the fridge or a root cellar, trimmed beets keep two to four months.

Common questions

When is the last frost in John Day, OR?

Typically May 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for John Day.

Is it too late to plant beets in John Day?

The spring planting window runs through June 25. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 10 to July 24.

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.

Why do several beet seedlings grow from one seed?

Each beet "seed" is a cluster of two to four seeds. Thin to one plant every 3 inches, or grow monogerm varieties, which have one seed per cluster.

Why are my beets all leaves and no root?

Most often crowding: beets need about 3 inches each. Too much nitrogen, too much shade, or uneven watering can also cause it.

What are the black spots inside my beets?

Usually boron deficiency, which causes black, corky spots inside the root. Test your soil and, if boron is low, add a very small amount. Too much boron is toxic, so don't add it without testing.

Also plant in John Day around the same time

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

Baker City, OR Apr 27 – Jun 22
Pendleton, OR Apr 1 – May 27
The Dalles, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Hood River, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Hermiston, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Ontario, OR Apr 1 – May 27

Full planting calendar for John Day · Beets in every city