When to plant beets in Salt Lake City, Utah

March 3 – March 17

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Salt Lake City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT (USC00427606), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Salt Lake City (ZCTA 84111 centroid), elevation 4280 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow beets from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 31). One year in ten still freezes after April 19.

Last spring freezeMarch 311-in-10 after Apr 19
First fall freezeNovember 81-in-10 before Oct 23
Frost-free season224 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 8Nov 18kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low not frost timing

The Salt Lake City year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 3 – Mar 17
Fall plantingSep 13 – Oct 11
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 19
Beets in Salt Lake City · freeze context from Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 3 – Mar 17

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 (Mar 31). Purdue University Extension · Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · University of New Hampshire Extension

Fall planting

Sep 13 – Oct 11

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 8). 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)

Keep exploring