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When to Plant Carrots in Adams County, PA

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.

Adams County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 257 feet, Adams County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Adams County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 16

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,172 GDD — county provides 3,182 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Adams County, PA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 9

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

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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Adams 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 Adams County, PA?

Adams County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, PA?

Adams County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adams County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Adams County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.