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When to Plant Carrots in Grant County, MN

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.

Grant County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,371 feet, Grant County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 799 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~858 GDD — county provides 1,947 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, MN

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 31

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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

159 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, MN?

Grant County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, MN?

Grant County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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