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When to Plant Carrots in Ontonagon 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.

Ontonagon County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 502 feet, Ontonagon County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Ontonagon County, MI (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Ontonagon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 12

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,290 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Ontonagon County, MI

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

129 days

Growing Tips for Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County, MI?

Ontonagon County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ontonagon County, MI?

Ontonagon County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ontonagon County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Ontonagon County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.