Root Vegetable

When to Plant Carrots in Georgia

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

The Short Answer

Georgia's red clay Piedmont is the wrong soil for carrots unless you build raised beds — but Georgia's mild fall and winter temperatures are excellent for the crop. Coastal plain sandy soils grow carrots naturally well. The key is matching your soil solution to your region.

Georgia Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Georgia you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Georgia Mountains 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Georgia 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
South Georgia 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 28 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Carrots Planting Schedule for Georgia

North Georgia Mountains (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

Central Georgia (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

South Georgia (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 28 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

Growing Carrots in Georgia

State-Specific Growing Tips

Mountains: sow March through May, and August for fall harvest. Piedmont: sow September through February in raised beds with loose, sandy soil. Do not attempt carrots in unamended Piedmont clay — they'll fork, stunt, and twist. Coastal plain: sow October through February — the sandy soils are naturally ideal. UGA Extension recommends raised beds with at least 12 inches of loose soil for Piedmont carrot growers.

Recommended Varieties for Georgia

Nantes for sandy soils. Short types (Chantenay, Oxheart) for less-than-perfect soil preparation. Danvers Half Long for moderate soils. Atomic Red and Purple Haze for visual variety.

Common Challenges in Georgia

Piedmont clay causes forking and stunting — raised beds are the solution, not amendment alone. Nematodes in south Georgia's sandy soils. Carrot rust fly. Aster yellows.

Growing Tips

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

Companion Planting

Plant carrots alongside these companions for better growth:

Peas Lettuce Tomatoes Onions

Keep carrots away from:

Dill

The Bottom Line

Carrots can be grown successfully in Georgia with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Georgia Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while South Georgia sees frost end around Feb 28 - Mar 15. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Carrots Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Georgia Planting Calendar All plants for Georgia Carrots in Alabama Alabama planting dates Carrots in Alaska Alaska planting dates Carrots in Arizona Arizona planting dates Carrots in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

Ready to Start Planting?

Enter your zip code and pick your plant. We'll tell you exactly when to plant, start seeds, and harvest — based on where you live.

Find Your Planting Dates