When to plant beets in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

March 7 – March 21

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Oklahoma City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Oklahoma City Will Rogers AP, OK (USW00013967), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Oklahoma City (ZCTA 73102 centroid), elevation 1285 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow beets from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 4). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 41-in-10 after Apr 20

First fall freezeNovember 21-in-10 before Oct 21

Frost-free season≈ 213 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 21 – Nov 11kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Oklahoma City year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 7 – Mar 21

Fall plantingSep 7 – Oct 5

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 20

Beets in Oklahoma City · freeze context from Oklahoma City Will Rogers AP, OK, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 7 – Mar 21

Purdue: semi-hardy — 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Penn State sows from Apr 1 (−30) and UNH keys to 45°F soil; the later Purdue range is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 4). Purdue University Extension · Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · University of New Hampshire Extension

Fall planting

Sep 7 – Oct 5

Purdue Table 2: plant fall beets at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost, allowing for days to maturity. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 2). Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average round variety (about 55–70 days; Penn State lists 70).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.
Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners): Vegetable Seed Planting Guide (accessed 2026-07-24)
Earliest/latest sowing dates for a May 1 last-frost / Oct 1 first-frost baseline; offsets derived by date difference from May 1. Also days-to-maturity figures.
University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.

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