Rainline Garden

When to plant beets in Salem, OR

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

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Salem's typical last spring frost is April 3. 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.

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 Salem, OR?

Typically April 3. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Salem McNary Field.

Is it too late to plant beets in Salem?

The spring planting window runs through May 10. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 6 to August 20.

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 Salem around the same time

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Salem · Beets in every city