Blog

When to Plant Carrots in Grafton 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.

Grafton County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 524 feet, Grafton County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Grafton County, NH (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Grafton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31

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 ~700 GDD — county provides 1,480 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Grafton County, NH

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 11

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

148 days

Growing Tips for Grafton 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 Grafton County, NH?

Grafton County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grafton County, NH?

Grafton County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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