Rainline Garden

When to plant beets in Yakima, WA

Plant beets from seed, directly in the garden in Yakima, Apr 10 – Jun 5. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 26 – Aug 9.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

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 10 – Jun 5, 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 Jul 26 – Aug 9 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant beets in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through June 5. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 26 to August 9.

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 Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for beets in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Beets in every city