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When to Plant Carrots in Union 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.

Union County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 1,122 feet, Union County receives approximately 50.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Union County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1

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
Carrots needs ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,232 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, TN

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
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

202 days

Growing Tips for Union 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 Union County, TN?

Union 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 Union County, TN?

Union County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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