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When to Plant Carrots in Mariposa County, CA

Carrots are a popular root vegetable available in orange, purple, white, and yellow varieties. They are rich in beta-carotene and have a sweet, earthy flavor.

Mariposa County, California is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 192 feet, Mariposa County receives approximately 19.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Carrots successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mariposa County, CA (Zone 7b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
205 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Mariposa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,328 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,741 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Mariposa County, CA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Mariposa County

Sow seeds directly in loose, stone-free soil for straight roots. Keep soil moist until germination which can take 2-3 weeks. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Dill
  • Parsnip

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Carrots Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Replant roots for 2nd year flowers. Harvest umbels when brown.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial โ€” requires two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Carrots in Mariposa County, CA?

Mariposa County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mariposa County, CA?

Mariposa County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mariposa County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mariposa County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.