Blog

When to Plant Carrots in DeKalb County, TN

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.

DeKalb County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 3,805 feet, DeKalb County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt 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.

DeKalb County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

DeKalb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Carrots needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” DeKalb County, TN

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, TN?

DeKalb County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeKalb County, TN?

DeKalb County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help DeKalb County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 DeKalb County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.