When to plant carrots in Portland, OR

Plant carrots from seed, directly in the garden in Portland, Mar 15 – May 10. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Portland's typical last spring frost is March 13. In the west-side valleys, the soil is usually ready for carrots around March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty

Moderate

Sun

Full sun

Spacing

Thin to 2 inches apart

Planting depth

¼ inch deep

Frost

Handles light frost

First harvest

About 70 days after planting

Step by step

1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
2. Plant seeds Mar 15 – May 10, ¼ inch deep, Thin to 2 inches apart.
3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
4. Plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6 for a fall harvest.
5. Harvest: Pull when the shoulders are about ¾ inch across. Fall carrots sweeten after a light frost.

Common questions

Also plant in Portland around the same time

• Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Beets
• Kale
• Broccoli

Planting dates for carrots in nearby areas

• Gresham, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Salem, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Eugene, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Roseburg, OR Mar 15 – May 10
• Medford, OR Mar 15 – May 10

Full planting calendar for Portland · Carrots in every city