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When to Plant Carrots in Covington County, MS

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.

Covington County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 469 feet, Covington County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Carrots, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Covington County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Covington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (143 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 383 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,592 GDD — county provides 5,642 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Covington County, MS

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jun 4

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

248 days

Growing Tips for Covington 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 Covington County, MS?

Covington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Covington County, MS?

Covington County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Covington County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Covington County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.