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When to Plant Carrots in Westmoreland 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.

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 894 feet, Westmoreland County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Westmoreland County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Westmoreland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 11

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 221 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,412 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Westmoreland County, PA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
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 Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, PA?

Westmoreland County is in Zone 6a 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 Westmoreland County, PA?

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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