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When to Plant Carrots in Lee 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.

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Lee County, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 28
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (225 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Mar 23 – Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (227 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – May 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (199 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 7

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,469 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,015 GDD — county provides 4,727 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, FL

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 7 Jan 7 โ€“ Jan 28
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 โ€“ Nov 7
Harvest March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February โ€”
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 10a

Growing Season

325 days

Growing Tips for Lee 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 Lee County, FL?

Lee County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, FL?

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lee County gardeners in Zone 10a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Lee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.