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When to Plant Carrots in Georgetown County, SC

Georgetown County, South Carolina Zone 8b May

May in Georgetown County, South Carolina — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Georgetown County, South Carolina this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 19
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting carrots

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: carrots

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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.

Georgetown County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 102 feet, Georgetown County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Carrots during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Carrots will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Carrots root diseases.

Georgetown County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Georgetown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14

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.

Soil Compatibility in Georgetown County

How your county's soil matches Carrots's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.2) is more acidic than Carrots prefers (6.0–6.8). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Georgetown County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Carrots will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Carrots.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Carrots.

How to Plant Carrots

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Carrots

4
successive plantings in your 241-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Carrots

Carrots needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Carrots Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Georgetown County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Carrots Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Carrots needs ~1,435 GDD — county provides 4,940 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline — Georgetown County, SC

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 26
Harvest May 7 May 7 – Jun 11
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 – Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

241 days in Georgetown County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Georgetown County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after March 19 in Georgetown County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Georgetown County dries quickly — mulch Carrots with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Carrots in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial — requires two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Carrots in Georgetown County, SC?

Georgetown County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Georgetown County, SC?

Georgetown County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Georgetown County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Georgetown County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Georgetown County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.