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When to Plant Carrots in Tensas Parish, LA

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.

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 409 feet, Tensas Parish receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Tensas Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Tensas Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 4,340 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Tensas Parish, LA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ Jun 1

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 Harvest
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

248 days

Growing Tips for Tensas Parish

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 Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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