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When to Plant Carrots in Garfield County, WA

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.

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 3,226 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Carrots successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Garfield County, WA (Zone 6a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 12

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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,214 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 2,304 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, WA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 5
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 1

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garfield County, WA?

Garfield County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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