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When to Plant Carrots in Cameron County, TX

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.

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 4,025 feet, Cameron County receives approximately 58.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Cameron County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22

Cameron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (235 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 21 – Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (223 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – May 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (200 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 10

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 675 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,908 GDD — county provides 8,774 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Cameron County, TX

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Feb 4
Fall Sowing October 27 Oct 27 โ€“ Nov 10
Harvest March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9b

Growing Season

321 days

Growing Tips for Cameron 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 Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cameron County, TX?

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cameron County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Cameron County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.