Carrots Planting Guide
Carrots are a popular root vegetable available in orange, purple, white, and yellow varieties. They are rich in beta-carotene and have a sweet, earthy flavor.
Daucus carota subsp. sativus · Vegetable · Apiaceae family · 60–80 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Carrots Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Carrots?
Carrots Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Carrots planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | May 8 | — | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 3 | — | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 29 | — | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 24 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 11 | — | Jun 13 – Jul 18 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 4 | — | Jun 6 – Jul 11 |
| Zone 6a | — | Mar 27 | — | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 6b | — | Mar 20 | — | May 22 – Jun 26 |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 11 | — | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 4 | — | May 6 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 8a | — | Feb 22 | — | Apr 26 – May 31 |
| Zone 8b | — | Feb 11 | — | Apr 15 – May 20 |
| Zone 9a | — | Jan 20 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 28 |
| Zone 9b | — | Jan 4 | — | Mar 8 – Apr 12 |
| Zone 10a | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
| Zone 10b | — | Dec 11 | — | Feb 12 – Mar 19 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Carrots is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Carrots is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Carrots
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 6.8
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Apiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apiaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Carrots
Carrots matures in just 60–80 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Carrots
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Carrots
Sow seeds directly in loose, stone-free soil for straight roots. Keep soil moist until germination which can take 2-3 weeks. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart.
💧 Watering: Carrots needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Carrots Seeds
Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial — requires two seasons.
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Carrots by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Carrots?
Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) takes 60 to 80 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Carrots grow in?
Carrots can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Carrots need?
Growing Carrots requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 6.8.