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When to Plant Carrots in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 223 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. 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.

Jackson County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,407 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~1,330 GDD — county provides 4,902 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, FL

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Sep 24
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 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 8b

Growing Season

258 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, FL?

Jackson 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 Jackson County, FL?

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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