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When to Plant Carrots in Dixie County, FL

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.

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 428 feet, Dixie County receives approximately 55.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Carrots will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Dixie County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Dixie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,097 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~1,802 GDD — county provides 6,617 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Dixie County, FL

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 28 Sep 28 โ€“ Oct 12
Harvest April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 27

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 9a

Growing Season

257 days

Growing Tips for Dixie 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 Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dixie County, FL?

Dixie County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dixie County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Dixie County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.