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When to Plant Carrots in Mason County, KY

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.

Mason County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 3,461 feet, Mason County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Mason County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 75 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Mason County, KY

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
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 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 6b

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Mason 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 Mason County, KY?

Mason County is in Zone 6b 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 Mason County, KY?

Mason County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mason County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Mason County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.