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When to Plant Carrots in Stark 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.

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 1,118 feet, Stark County receives approximately 31.6 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.

Stark County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Stark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 28

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 Stark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.0) overlaps with Carrots's range (6.0โ€“6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Carrots.

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 171-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 44 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 2,223 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Stark County, OH

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 23

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

171 days in Stark County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Stark County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after April 30 in Stark 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 Stark County, OH?

Stark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stark County, OH?

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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