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When to Plant Carrots in Boyd County, NE

Carrots

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.

Boyd County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Boyd County receives approximately 28 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Boyd County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Boyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Carrots Planting Timeline — Boyd County, NE

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 – Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Boyd County

Growing Tips for Boyd 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

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 Boyd County, NE?

Boyd County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boyd County, NE?

Boyd County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Boyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Boyd County (Zone 5a). 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 Boyd County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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