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When to Plant Carrots in Beaverhead County, MT

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.

Beaverhead County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 94 days.

At an elevation of 7,645 feet, Beaverhead County receives approximately 15.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Carrots successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Beaverhead County, MT (Zone 4a) Very short season
94 days
Last Spring Frost June 10
94 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Beaverhead County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 300 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~700 GDD — county provides 940 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Beaverhead County, MT

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Fall Sowing June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 4
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 9

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 โ€”
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

94 days

Growing Tips for Beaverhead 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 Beaverhead County, MT?

Beaverhead County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 10. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaverhead County, MT?

Beaverhead County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 10 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Beaverhead County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Beaverhead County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.