🥕 When to Plant Carrots

🥬 Vegetable
Cool Season

Direct sow only; keep soil moist for germination

📅 Planting Calendar by USDA Zone

Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.

Find my zone
Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant Direct Sow
Zone 2A May 30 May 2
Zone 3B May 15 Apr 17
Zone 4A May 8 Apr 10
Zone 4B May 1 Apr 3
Zone 5A Apr 25 Mar 28
Zone 5B Apr 18 Mar 21
Zone 6A Apr 21 Mar 24
Zone 6B Apr 10 Mar 13
Zone 7A Apr 5 Mar 8
Zone 7B Mar 28 Feb 28
Zone 8A Mar 20 Feb 20
Zone 8B Mar 12 Feb 12
Zone 9A Feb 28 Jan 31
Zone 9B Feb 15 Jan 18
Zone 10A Feb 1 Jan 4
Zone 10B Jan 15 Dec 18
Zone 11A Jan 1 Dec 4

Carrots are a rewarding root crop that thrives in loose, deep soil with consistent moisture.

Top Growing Tips

  • Loose, rock-free soil is essential for straight roots
  • Seeds are tiny — mix with sand for even spacing
  • Keep soil moist until germination (can take 2-3 weeks)
  • Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart for good root development
  • Shorter varieties work best in heavy or shallow soil

Companion Planting

Good companions: lettuce, tomatoes, chives, onions, rosemary

Avoid planting near: dill (cross-pollinates with Queen Anne’s lace family)

Harvest Timeline

60-80 days from seed