When to Harvest Carrots on the Prairies
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba: leave them for sweetness, but get them out before they freeze.
When to harvest carrots on the Prairies is a balance. The Government of Saskatchewan says sweetness and storage potential increase with maturity, so carrots benefit from staying in the ground into the cool fall. But it is just as clear that carrots do not withstand freezing temperatures.
Prairie falls are short. Most cities on the list below see their average first fall frost in September.
Prairie carrot harvest at a glance: Leave carrots in through the cool early fall for sweetness and storage life, but lift them before they freeze. If they do freeze in the ground, let them thaw before digging, and discard any that split or turn soft and watery. Trim tops to 2.5–5 cm and store near 0°C and very high humidity.
Outside the Prairies? See When to Harvest Carrots for carrot timing elsewhere in Canada.
Prairie Frost Dates
| City | Zone | Average First Fall Frost |
|---|---|---|
| Lethbridge | 4b | Sep 27 |
| Medicine Hat | 4b | Sep 22 |
| Calgary | 3b | Sep 21 |
| Red Deer | 3b | Sep 13 |
| Edmonton | 4a | Sep 23 |
| Regina | 3a | Sep 17 |
| Saskatoon | 3a | Sep 12 |
| Prince Albert | 2b | Sep 8 |
| Brandon | 3a | Sep 15 |
| Winnipeg | 3a | Sep 20 |
Frost dates and zones from this site’s data.
Sweetness Versus Freezing
The Government of Saskatchewan says carrots do well in cool weather and gain sweetness and storage potential as they mature, but they do not withstand freezing. A frozen carrot shows ice crystals on the outside of the root. Let it thaw before harvesting. Discard roots that split, look water-soaked, or turn flabby or watery.
Harvesting
The same source says to avoid wounding carrots at harvest, which reduces rot in storage, and to trim the tops leaving 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) of stem. Harvesting when the soil is cool means less field heat to remove, and carrots should not dry out between digging and storage.
Storage
The Government of Saskatchewan gives 0°C (32°F) and 100% relative humidity as the target, so the roots lose as little moisture as possible. At home, see storing carrots and beets without a root cellar or root cellaring.
Lifting and Storing, From the University of Saskatchewan
In firm soil, loosen the row with a garden fork before pulling, and water two days before harvest to soften it. Store only carrots that were not cut or scuffed; eat the damaged ones first.
Trim the tops but leave about 2 cm of green to stop the roots shrivelling. Brush off loose soil, lay the carrots in a single layer on cardboard or newspaper, and let them dry for a day or two in a cool, dark place before storing.
Its ideal storage is 0°C at 95–100% humidity. Keep carrots away from apples: the ethylene apples give off makes carrots bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I harvest carrots in Alberta or Saskatchewan?
In fall, after they have had time to sweeten in cool weather but before they freeze. Most Prairie cities see their average first fall frost in September.
Can carrots stay in the ground after frost on the Prairies?
A light frost on the tops is not the same as the roots freezing, but the Government of Saskatchewan says carrots do not withstand freezing temperatures. Do not leave them until the ground freezes.
What if my carrots froze in the ground?
Let them thaw before digging. Discard any that split, look water-soaked, or turn flabby or watery.
Why leave carrots in longer?
The Government of Saskatchewan says sweetness and storage potential increase with maturity.
How should I store Prairie carrots?
Near 0°C and very high humidity, with tops trimmed to 2.5 to 5 cm, so they do not dry out.
Should I wash carrots before storing?
The Government of Saskatchewan describes washing carrots as they enter storage and discarding damaged ones. At home, store only sound, undamaged roots.
Sources
- Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Agriculture — Carrot Production
- Environment and Climate Change Canada — Canadian Climate Normals (the frost dates in the tables, read from this site’s frost data)
- University of Saskatchewan, Gardening at USask — Carrots