Across the U.S., beets ripen from Florida (early January) all the way to Texas (mid-December). Hatched chalk is the early and late shoulder; the solid stretch is peak.
Choose firm, round roots with smooth skin and bright, unwilted greens still attached.
Feel
Roots should feel hard all over with no soft spots, and the thin taproot tail should still be intact.
Smell
A clean, earthy smell is right — mustiness means the roots sat in storage too long.
Tip
Fresh tops are your freshness gauge — and they cook like chard, so take them home too.
Keeps
Twist off the tops and fridge roots in a bag — they hold two to three weeks or more.
U-pick beets?
Dig-your-own beets are uncommon — look for firm bunches with fresh tops at farmers markets.
Frequently asked questions
When are beets in season?
It depends where you stand. Across the U.S., beets ripen from Florida (early January) all the way to Texas (mid-December). In most growing states the peak lands around July — your own state's row on the board above is the honest answer.
Which state has the longest beet season?
California, where the season runs early January to late December. Long seasons usually mean a big state with more than one growing region inside it.
When are beets in season near me?
Pick your state on the what's-in-season board (it remembers you), or jump to your state's row above — each one links to the full beet-and-state page.