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When to Plant Carrots in Orem, UT

Carrots
Orem, UT Zone 7a June

June in Orem, UT — your action list

Your Orem, UT garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 5
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Harvest carrots as they ripen

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

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: 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.

Orem, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Orem, UT (Zone 7a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Orem Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Carrots Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6

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 Orem

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.3) is more alkaline than Carrots prefers (6.0–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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 159-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Carrots Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 367 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 2.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.4" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Utah 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 ~1,015 GDD — county provides 2,305 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline — Orem, UT

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 28
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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 Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.8 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Utah County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Orem

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after May 05 in Utah 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.

🌱

Your Utah County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Utah County (Zone 7a). 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 Utah County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.