Blog

When to Plant Carrots in Chicot County, AR

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.

Chicot County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 1,421 feet, Chicot County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Chicot County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Chicot County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~1,278 GDD — county provides 4,434 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Chicot County, AR

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jun 6

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Chicot County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Dill
  • Parsnip

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Carrots Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Replant roots for 2nd year flowers. Harvest umbels when brown.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial โ€” requires two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Carrots in Chicot County, AR?

Chicot County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chicot County, AR?

Chicot County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chicot County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Chicot County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.