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When to Plant Carrots in Marshall County, IN

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.

Marshall County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,140 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 735 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~910 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, IN

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 19

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, IN?

Marshall County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, IN?

Marshall County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Marshall County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.