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When to Plant Carrots in Oakland 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.

Oakland County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,286 feet, Oakland County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Oakland County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Oakland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 85 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,193 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Oakland County, MI

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 21

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 6a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Oakland 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 Oakland County, MI?

Oakland County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oakland County, MI?

Oakland County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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