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When to plant Carrots in Clark County, KY

For Clark County, gardeners: plant Carrots April 2 through April 23 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from August 15 to August 29 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Carrots in Clark County, KY

Carrots
Clark County, Kentucky Zone 6b July

Top priorities for Clark County, Kentucky gardeners in July

Each item below is timed to Clark County, Kentucky's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for carrots

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Clark County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,545 feet, Clark County receives approximately 50.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Clark County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Carrots Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Carrots's range (6.0–6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Carrots.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Carrots.

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 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Carrots Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 3.2" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clark 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 ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,485 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline — Clark County, KY

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 9
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Clark County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after April 16 in Clark 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 Clark County, KY?

Clark County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, KY?

Clark County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Carrots in Clark County, KY?

In Clark County, KY, plant Carrots after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Clark County, KY for Carrots?

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

Can Carrots grow in Clark County's climate?

Yes — Carrots grows well in Clark County's temperate climate. Clark County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 6b). 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 Clark County, KY. 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.