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When to Plant Carrots in Benzie County, MI

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.

Benzie County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 154 days.

At an elevation of 1,075 feet, Benzie County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Benzie County, MI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
154 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
154 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Benzie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 28

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 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 2,348 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Benzie County, MI

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Aug 18
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Aug 4

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 Harvest
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

154 days

Growing Tips for Benzie 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 Benzie County, MI?

Benzie County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benzie County, MI?

Benzie County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benzie County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Benzie County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.