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When to Plant Carrots in Big Horn 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.

Big Horn County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 5,955 feet, Big Horn County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Big Horn County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Big Horn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6

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 486 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 1,715 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Big Horn County, MT

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 12

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 โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Big Horn 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 Big Horn County, MT?

Big Horn County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Big Horn County, MT?

Big Horn County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Big Horn County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Big Horn County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.