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When to Plant Carrots in Lackawanna 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.

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 184 feet, Lackawanna County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Lackawanna County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Lackawanna County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~858 GDD — county provides 1,984 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Lackawanna County, PA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 25

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

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

162 days

Growing Tips for Lackawanna 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 Lackawanna County, PA?

Lackawanna County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lackawanna County, PA?

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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