Rainline Garden

When to plant carrots in Yakima, WA

Plant carrots from seed, directly in the garden in Yakima, Apr 10 – Jun 5. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 12–26.

Moderate Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Apr 10 – Jun 5, 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 12–26 for a fall harvest.
  5. Harvest: Pull when the shoulders are about ¾ inch across. Fall carrots sweeten after a light frost.

Varieties that do well here

  • Scarlet Nantes
  • Bolero
  • Danvers

Watch out for

Carrot rust fly larvae tunnel through roots. Cover the bed with insect netting from sowing on.

Keep the seedbed moist until they sprout, which can take two to three weeks in cool soil.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant carrots in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through June 5. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 12 to July 26.

How long until I can harvest carrots?

About 70 days after planting. Pull when the shoulders are about ¾ inch across. Fall carrots sweeten after a light frost.

Also plant in Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for carrots in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Carrots in every city