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When to Plant Carrots in Tehama County, CA

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.

Tehama County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 78 feet, Tehama County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Carrots to ensure they mature before fall.

Tehama County, CA (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Tehama County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 878 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~805 GDD — county provides 3,070 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Tehama County, CA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 โ€“ Oct 3
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 29

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 Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Tehama 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 Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tehama County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Tehama County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.