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When to Plant Carrots in Jackson County, CO

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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 3b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 1

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~700 GDD — county provides 830 GDD Good fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, CO

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 27
Fall Sowing June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jun 26
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Jackson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.