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When to Plant Carrots in Washington 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.

Washington County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 2,281 feet, Washington County receives approximately 43.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Washington County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31

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 205 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,723 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, KY

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

204 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, KY?

Washington County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, KY?

Washington County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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