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When to Plant Carrots in Belknap County, NH

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.

Belknap County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Belknap County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Belknap County, NH (Zone 5a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Belknap County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 2,455 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Belknap County, NH

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Jul 26

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 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 5a

Growing Season

161 days

Growing Tips for Belknap 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 Belknap County, NH?

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

What planting zone is Belknap County, NH?

Belknap County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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