Root Vegetable

When to Plant Carrots in Hawaii

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

The Short Answer

In Hawaii, soil conditions are an important factor for carrots. Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Carrots can also be planted in fall, 10 weeks before your first frost.

Hawaii Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Coastal Hawaii	11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a	None	None
Upcountry/Mountain	10a, 10b, 11a	Rare	Rare

Carrots Planting Schedule for Hawaii

Coastal Hawaii (Zones 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a)

Average last frost: None · Average first frost: None

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Upcountry/Mountain (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Growing Carrots in Hawaii

Carrots in Hawaii's Climate

Grow carrots from October through January only. The window is short — hot soil temperatures produce bitter, tough roots. Sandy soils in Florida and the desert Southwest provide good drainage but need compost for nutrients. Choose quick-maturing varieties like Nantes (65 days) to maximize your narrow cool window.

Soil Considerations for Hawaii

Volcanic soils — extremely fertile but can be acidic. Excellent drainage on slopes. Varies dramatically by island and elevation. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for carrots since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Hawaii Climate & Growing Season

Tropical. Year-round growing season at lower elevations. Elevation creates microclimates. Plant warm-season crops anytime.

Growing season length varies across Hawaii: Coastal Hawaii (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a) has a last frost around None, while Upcountry/Mountain (10a, 10b, 11a) sees frost end around Rare. This difference matters for carrots — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

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 across Hawaii, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Coastal Hawaii gardeners should plan around a None last frost, while those in Upcountry/Mountain can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

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