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When to Plant Carrots in Eau Claire County, WI

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.

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Eau Claire County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Eau Claire County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Eau Claire County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 130 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~700 GDD — county provides 1,460 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Eau Claire County, WI

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 4a

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Eau Claire County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Eau Claire County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.