When to plant carrot by zone
Daucus carota is a cool-season crop that is hardy to frost. Rule of thumb: direct sow from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; for a fall crop, sow or plant 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Carrot planting dates by zone
Each row uses the median 30%-risk frost dates of the major cities in that zone; rows marked * have no major city and use the median of NOAA stations in that zone instead. Frost dates vary a lot within a zone, so use your city page for local dates. In frost-free climates: Sep 1 – Feb 28.
| Zone | Median last frost | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a* | May 29 | — | — | May 8 – Jun 12 | — |
| 1b* | May 29 | — | — | May 8 – Jun 12 | — |
| 2a | May 21 | — | — | Apr 30 – Jun 4 | — |
| 2b* | May 20 | — | — | Apr 29 – Jun 3 | — |
| 3a* | Jun 4 | — | — | May 14 – Jun 18 | — |
| 3b* | May 24 | — | — | May 3 – Jun 7 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 |
| 4a | May 12 | — | — | Apr 21 – May 26 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| 4b | May 5 | — | — | Apr 14 – May 19 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| 5a | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 18 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| 5b | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 18 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| 6a | May 4 | — | — | Apr 13 – May 18 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| 6b | Apr 26 | — | — | Apr 5 – May 10 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| 7a | Apr 22 | — | — | Apr 1 – May 6 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| 7b | Apr 10 | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 8a | Apr 1 | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| 8b | Mar 22 | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| 9a | Mar 11 | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| 9b | Feb 12 | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 26 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| 10a | Jan 26 | — | — | Jan 5 – Feb 9 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| 10b | Jan 27 | — | — | Jan 6 – Feb 10 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| 11a | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
| 11b* | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
| 12a* | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
| 12b | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
| 13a* | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
| 13b* | Rare | Sep 1 – Feb 28 | |||
Growing tips
- Keep the seedbed moist until sprouts appear — it can take 2–3 weeks.
- Loose, stone-free soil gives straight roots; try short varieties in heavy clay.
- Fall carrots sweeten after a few light frosts.
Related guides: which frost date to use · succession and fall planting.
Exact dates for your city
Popular: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Jacksonville, Fort Worth, San Jose — or browse all cities by state.
Other crops: Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce, Green Beans, Sweet Corn, Zucchini & Summer Squash, Cucumber, Onion, Potato, Basil, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Peas, Eggplant, Cabbage, Radish, Strawberry, Beets
Carrot planting questions
When can I plant carrot outside?
Sow seed directly from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost, once the soil reaches about 45°F (7.2°C). Examples: zone 5a (median last frost May 4): Apr 13 – May 18; zone 6b (median last frost Apr 26): Apr 5 – May 10; zone 8a (median last frost Apr 1): Mar 11 – Apr 15.
Can I grow carrot as a fall crop?
Yes. Sow or plant 10–12 weeks before your first fall frost. For a first frost around Oct 15, that is Jul 23 – Aug 6. Add about two weeks to the days to maturity for slower fall growth — see fall planting.
How long does carrot take to grow?
60–80 days from sowing. As a hardy cool-season crop it grows best in cool weather, so spring plantings should mature before summer heat, and fall plantings need about two extra weeks because days are shorter.
What soil temperature does carrot need?
At least 45°F (7.2°C) at planting depth. Cold soil slows germination more than a short delay in planting does, so in a cold spring it pays to wait a week past the usual date. As a hardy crop, carrot tolerates light frost.
How far apart should I plant carrot?
Recommended in-row spacing: 2–3 in. Keep the seedbed moist until sprouts appear — it can take 2–3 weeks.
When do you plant carrot where frost is rare?
In frost-free climates, plant carrot Sep 1 – Feb 28, timing growth for the mildest months. This applies to cities such as Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA.