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When to Plant Carrots in West Carroll 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.

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 455 feet, West Carroll Parish receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

West Carroll Parish, LA (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

West Carroll Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15

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 ~1,540 GDD — county provides 5,434 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” West Carroll Parish, LA

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 3

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 8a

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for West Carroll 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 West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish is in Zone 8a 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 West Carroll Parish, LA?

West Carroll Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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