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When to Plant Carrots in Hempstead 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.

Hempstead County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,302 feet, Hempstead County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season.

Hempstead County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hempstead County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 287 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,776 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Hempstead County, AR

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ Jun 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Hempstead 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 Hempstead County, AR?

Hempstead County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hempstead County, AR?

Hempstead County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hempstead County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Hempstead County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.