Carrot in Zone 5a & 5b
Daucus carota
Yes, carrot grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside Apr 19–Apr 26. For a fall crop, plant out Jul 13–Jul 27.
When to plant carrot in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 19–Apr 26 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 28–Jul 5 (~70 days after direct-sowing) |
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jul 13–Jul 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 21–Oct 5 (~70 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 16 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists carrot for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of carrot in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- RadishApr 12–Apr 19
- CabbageApr 26–May 3
- LettuceApr 26–May 3
- BeetApr 19–Apr 26
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Apr 19–Apr 26
- MizunaApr 19–Apr 26
Carrots are almost never transplanted, their taproot resents disturbance and will fork or stunt if moved once it's started growing. Every carrot in a garden should go from seed packet directly into its final spot in the ground.
How carrot fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Carrot needs about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.
Carrot planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | Apr 29–May 6 | Jul 8–Jul 15 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jul 18–Jul 25 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 3–Jul 10 |
| 5a & 5bSpring window (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jun 28–Jul 5 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 13–Jul 27 | Sep 21–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 23–Aug 6 | Oct 1–Oct 15 |
| 7a & 7bSpring window | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 2–Aug 16 | Oct 11–Oct 25 |
| 8a & 8bSpring window | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 18–Sep 1 | Oct 27–Nov 10 |
| 9a & 9bSpring window | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 12–Sep 26 | Nov 21–Dec 5 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Mar | ~70 days after direct-sowing |
Harvest dates are about 70 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
- Onion: A real, peer-reviewed field study (Uvah & Coaker 1984) found intercropping onions with carrots reduced carrot rust fly damage, on the theory that mixed scents mask the host plant from pests hunting by smell.
- Tomato: Carrots aerate soil around tomato roots.
Where to buy carrot seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's carrot seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Napoli (F1): The breeder notes it grows notably sweet when maturing in cold soil and is a common choice for fall sowing/overwintering in cold-climate gardens. Buy: High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
- Yaya (F1): A Nelson-type early carrot with good vigor for its speed, mild flavor and early sugar development. Buy: Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing carrot" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Carrot in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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