When to plant beets in Wenatchee, WA

Plant beets from seed, directly in the garden in Wenatchee, Apr 1 – May 27. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 6–20.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Wenatchee's typical last spring frost is April 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Apr 1 – May 27, 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 Wenatchee around the same time

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

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

• Pendleton, OR Apr 1 – May 27
• The Dalles, OR Apr 1 – May 27
• Yakima, WA Apr 10 – Jun 5
• Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Apr 1 – May 27
• Walla Walla, WA Apr 1 – May 27
• Moses Lake, WA Apr 1 – May 27

Full planting calendar for Wenatchee · Beets in every city