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When to Plant Carrots in Jeff Davis 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.

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 4,298 feet, Jeff Davis County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” 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.

Jeff Davis County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Jeff Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Jul 29

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 Jeff Davis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2โ€“8.7) is more alkaline than Carrots prefers (6.0โ€“6.8). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Jeff Davis 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 low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 212-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 4 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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 โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 3.5" 1.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 3.5" 1.8" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 3.5" 8.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 11.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.5" 3.1" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Jeff Davis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,540 GDD — county provides 4,664 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Jeff Davis County, TX

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 10
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 26
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.8"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“6.8 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

212 days in Jeff Davis County

Growing Tips for Carrots in Jeff Davis County

Direct sow Carrots outdoors after April 03 in Jeff Davis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Jeff Davis County dries quickly โ€” mulch Carrots with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in Jeff Davis 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 →

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 Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jeff Davis County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Jeff Davis County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.