Blog

When to Plant Carrots in Bristol County, MA

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.

Bristol County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 833 feet, Bristol County receives approximately 47.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Bristol County, MA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Bristol County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,172 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Bristol County, MA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
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 6b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Bristol 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 Bristol County, MA?

Bristol County is in Zone 6b 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 Bristol County, MA?

Bristol County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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