Blog

When to Plant Carrots in Barnwell County, SC

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.

Barnwell County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 157 feet, Barnwell County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Barnwell County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Barnwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,592 GDD — county provides 5,300 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Barnwell County, SC

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 10 May 10 โ€“ Jun 14

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 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

233 days

Growing Tips for Barnwell 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 Barnwell County, SC?

Barnwell County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barnwell County, SC?

Barnwell County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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