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When to Plant Carrots in St. Johns 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.

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 57 feet, St. Johns County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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.

St. Johns County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

St. Johns County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (209 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – May 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 880 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~1,698 GDD — county provides 7,202 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” St. Johns County, FL

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 9
Fall Sowing October 7 Oct 7 โ€“ Oct 21
Harvest March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
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

296 days

Growing Tips for St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL?

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

What planting zone is St. Johns County, FL?

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.