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When to Plant Carrots in Freestone 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.

Freestone County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 398 feet, Freestone County receives approximately 71.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Freestone County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Freestone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.9-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,382 GDD — county provides 4,878 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Freestone County, TX

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 18
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
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

247 days

Growing Tips for Freestone 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 Freestone County, TX?

Freestone County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Freestone County, TX?

Freestone County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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