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When to Plant Carrots in Putnam County, OH

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.

Putnam County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,300 feet, Putnam County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Putnam County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Putnam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Putnam County

How your county's soil matches Carrots's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“6.7) is within Carrots's preferred range (6.0โ€“6.8).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Putnam County is excellent for Carrots โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) โ€” Carrots will thrive.

How to Plant Carrots

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Carrots

3
successive plantings in your 182-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~910 GDD — county provides 2,366 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Putnam County, OH

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 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 Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

182 days in Putnam County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Putnam County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after April 23 in Putnam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Carrots in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Putnam County, OH?

Putnam County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Putnam County, OH?

Putnam County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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