Root Vegetable

When to Plant Carrots

Patience is the secret ingredient. Carrots are slow to germinate but deliver sweet, crunchy rewards.

Sun

Full to partial sun (4-6 hours)

Water

1 inch per week

Days to Harvest

60-80

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

Frost Tolerance

moderate

The Short Answer

Carrots are best direct sown when soil temperature reaches at least 45°F. Plant 3 weeks before your average last frost date. Carrots can also be planted in fall, 10 weeks before your first frost. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Carrots

Carrots demand one thing above all else: loose, deep, stone-free soil. Every rock, clod, or hard spot the root encounters causes forking and deformity. This is why raised beds transformed carrot growing — 12 inches of fluffy, amended soil produces straight, beautiful roots that in-ground clay gardens rarely achieve. Germination is painfully slow (14-21 days) — mark the row and be patient. Keep the soil surface moist until sprouts appear; a dried crust will trap seedlings underground. Nantes types are the best balance of flavor and ease.

Direct Sowing

Carrots can be direct sown 3 weeks before your last frost date. Plant seeds 0.25" deep, spaced 3" apart.

Fall Planting

Carrots are planted in fall, 10 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 0.25" deep, 3" apart.

Growing Tips

Loose, sandy soil is ideal. Rocky or clay soil causes forked roots. Keep soil consistently moist until seeds germinate.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Peas Lettuce Tomatoes Onions

Keep away from:

Dill

Carrots Planting Dates by State

Click your state for carrots planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026