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When to plant Carrots in Logan County, IL

Aim to plant Carrots in Logan County on or after April 1; the window stays open through April 22. Logan County's 184-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Carrots in Logan County, IL

Carrots
Logan County, Illinois Zone 6a July

Your July game plan for Logan County, Illinois

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Logan County, Illinois this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Collect carrots at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • Fall sowing: carrots

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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.

Logan County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,132 feet, Logan County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Logan County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Carrots Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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.

Soil Compatibility in Logan County

How your county's soil matches Carrots's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Carrots's preferred range (6.0–6.8).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Carrots — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Carrots will thrive.

How to Plant Carrots

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Carrots

3
successive plantings in your 184-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 07.

Carrots Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Carrots

Carrots needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Carrots Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 2.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Logan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Carrots Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Carrots needs ~858 GDD — county provides 2,254 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline — Logan County, IL

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 8
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Logan County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after April 15 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Carrots in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial — requires two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Carrots in Logan County, IL?

Logan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, IL?

Logan County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Carrots in Logan County, IL?

In Logan County, IL, plant Carrots after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Logan County, IL for Carrots?

Logan County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Carrots grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Carrots grow in Logan County's climate?

Yes — Carrots grows well in Logan County's temperate climate. Logan County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Logan County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Logan County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.