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When to Plant Carrots in Greene County, IA

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.

Greene County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 1,292 feet, Greene County receives approximately 33.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Greene County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 17

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 173 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 2,334 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, IA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 20

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 Fall Sowing 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 5a

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Greene 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 Greene County, IA?

Greene County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, IA?

Greene County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene 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 Greene County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.