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When to Plant Carrots in Calhoun County, TX

Calhoun County, Texas Zone 9b May

This month in Calhoun County, Texas

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Calhoun County, Texas.

Avg. last frost February 16
Avg. first frost December 7
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Harvest carrots as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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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.

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 294 days.

At an elevation of 215 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 99°F, 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.

Calhoun County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
294 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
294 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7
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Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (213 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 23 🍅 Harvest: Mar 27 – May 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – May 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16

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 Calhoun County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) is more alkaline than Carrots prefers (6.0–6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Calhoun County is excellent for Carrots — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Carrots.

How to Plant Carrots

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Carrots

5
successive plantings in your 294-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 12.

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Mar 3.5" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.5" 2.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Calhoun 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 ~1,698 GDD — county provides 7,153 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline — Calhoun County, TX

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 16
Harvest March 30 Mar 30 – May 4
Fall Sowing October 12 Oct 12 – Oct 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

294 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Calhoun County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after February 16 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 99°F in Calhoun County, provide afternoon shade for Carrots and water deeply in the morning.

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 Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, TX?

Calhoun County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 7.

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Your Calhoun County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Calhoun County (Zone 9b). 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 Calhoun County, TX. 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.