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When to Plant Carrots in Whatcom County, WA

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.

Whatcom County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 386 feet, Whatcom County receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Whatcom County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Whatcom County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Carrots

Carrots needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Carrots Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 6.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.7" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 7.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 8.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Carrots Planting Timeline — Whatcom County, WA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 13
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jun 29
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Whatcom County

Growing Tips for Whatcom 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 Whatcom County, WA?

Whatcom County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Whatcom County, WA?

Whatcom County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

🌱

Your Whatcom County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Whatcom County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Whatcom County, WA. 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.