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When to Plant Carrots in Flathead 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.

Flathead County, Montana is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 99 days.

At an elevation of 6,233 feet, Flathead County receives approximately 20.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Flathead County, MT (Zone 5a) Very short season
99 days
Last Spring Frost June 3
99 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Flathead County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Flathead County, MT

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 10
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 26
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

99 days in Flathead County

Growing Tips for Flathead 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Flathead County, MT?

Flathead County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 3. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flathead County, MT?

Flathead County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Flathead County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Flathead County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.