When to plant carrots in Minnesota
Minnesota’s average last spring frost is May 6, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 28 — about 145 frost-free days (USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Minnesota's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Minnesota: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 10 – Apr 29. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Minnesota: May 3 · May 21 · Jun 8
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Minnesota, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 10 – Apr 29). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Minnesota.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about Jun 14 – Jul 4). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Minnesota’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the carrot dates shift with them.
When to plant carrots in nearby states
Questions gardeners in Minnesota ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Minnesota?
Sow carrots in Minnesota between April 10 and April 29. That timing is set by Minnesota's average last spring frost of May 6.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Minnesota?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 3 and July 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before Minnesota's first frost around September 28.
When will carrots planted in Minnesota be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about June 14 to July 4, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
On average around May 6, with the first fall frost around September 28 - about 145 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.