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When to Plant Carrots in Stutsman County, ND

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.

Stutsman County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 907 feet, Stutsman County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Stutsman County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Stutsman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 730 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~752 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Stutsman County, ND

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 8

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 4a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Stutsman 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 Stutsman County, ND?

Stutsman County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stutsman County, ND?

Stutsman County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stutsman County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Stutsman County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.