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When to Plant Carrots in Harney County, OR

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.

Harney County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is September 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 81 days.

At an elevation of 679 feet, Harney County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Harney County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
81 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
81 growing days
First Fall Frost September 6

Harney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Sep 30

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
1.2″/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 ~1,068 GDD — county provides 1,235 GDD Good fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Harney County, OR

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 12
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 9

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 โ€”
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

81 days

Growing Tips for Harney 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 Harney County, OR?

Harney County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harney County, OR?

Harney County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is September 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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