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When to Plant Carrots in Winston 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.

Winston County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 154 feet, Winston County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Carrots, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Winston County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Winston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 227 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Winston County, MS

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 31
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
Harvest May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jun 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

228 days

Growing Tips for Winston 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 Winston County, MS?

Winston County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Winston County, MS?

Winston County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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