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When to Plant Carrots in San Miguel 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.

San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 113 days.

At an elevation of 8,402 feet, San Miguel County receives approximately 21.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

San Miguel County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
113 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
113 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

San Miguel County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~962 GDD — county provides 1,553 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” San Miguel County, CO

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 23

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 Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

113 days

Growing Tips for San Miguel 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 San Miguel County, CO?

San Miguel County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Miguel County, CO?

San Miguel County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Miguel County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 San Miguel County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.