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When to Plant Carrots in McMullen 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.

McMullen County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 284 days.

At an elevation of 3,741 feet, McMullen County receives approximately 58 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.

McMullen County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
284 days
Last Spring Frost February 20
284 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

McMullen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 442 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Carrots needs ~1,908 GDD — county provides 7,766 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” McMullen County, TX

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 20
Fall Sowing October 6 Oct 6 โ€“ Oct 20
Harvest April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ May 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

284 days

Growing Tips for McMullen 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 McMullen County, TX?

McMullen County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 20. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McMullen County, TX?

McMullen County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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