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When to Plant Carrots in Scotland County, MO

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.

Scotland County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 755 feet, Scotland County receives approximately 40 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.

Scotland County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Scotland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~858 GDD — county provides 2,205 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Scotland County, MO

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 12

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 โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Scotland 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 Scotland County, MO?

Scotland County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scotland County, MO?

Scotland County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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