How to grow carrot
Daucus carota subsp. sativus · Apiaceae · Vegetable
When to plant carrots: the short answer
Sow outdoors about 3 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 11 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F, fastest near 75°F.
Cold winters (zone 5): sow Apr 4 – Apr 23, or sow Jul 10 – Jul 27 for a fall crop. Mild winters (zone 9): sow Sep 4 – Sep 21 for fall and winter harvests; the spring window (Jan 25 – Feb 13) closes before the summer heat. Skip the hottest months for carrots. See every zone.
Carrot is a cool-season vegetable in the Apiaceae family, almost always sown straight into the ground where it will grow. It wants full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in hot regions and steady, even moisture. From sowing to first pick is about 60–80 days. It handles frost well and a light freeze often improves the flavour.
Grower’s note: Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Sowing
Sow about 0.25″ deep, into soil between 40–85°F — germination is quickest near 75°F. It is slow and often erratic to germinate (10–21 days). It does not transplant well, so sow it in its final position rather than starting it in pots.
Spacing & layout
Give each plant about 3″ along the row with roughly 12″ between rows. On a square-foot grid that is 16 per square foot. Allow at least 12″ of loose, workable soil for the roots. It grows well in containers at least 12″ deep.
Fitting it to your season
As a cool-season crop, carrot does its best growing in the mild weather of spring and fall and tends to bolt or turn bitter in summer heat. A second sowing in late summer, timed to mature as the weather cools, is usually the better crop of the year — and light frost only sweetens it.
Quick facts
Growth stages: how long carrots take to grow
From sowing to first harvest takes roughly 60-80 days (9-11 weeks), with seedlings appearing after 10-21 days in soil around 75°F.
When to plant carrot
When to plant carrots by USDA zone
Dates worked out from each zone’s typical frost dates for 2026. Find your zone on the zone map, or pick your state below for dates from its own frost dates. Zones 11 and above are frost-free, so timing there depends on heat and rain instead.
| Zone | Last / first frost | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Fall or second sowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 / Sep 15 | - | Apr 19 – May 8 | Jun 20 – Jul 7 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 / Sep 25 | - | Apr 14 – May 3 | Jun 30 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 / Oct 5 | - | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | Jul 10 – Jul 27 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 / Oct 15 | - | Mar 20 – Apr 8 | Jul 20 – Aug 6 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 / Oct 25 | - | Mar 10 – Mar 29 | Jul 30 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 / Nov 5 | - | Feb 22 – Mar 13 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 / Nov 30 | - | Jan 25 – Feb 13 | Sep 4 – Sep 21 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 / Dec 15 | - | Jan 4 – Jan 23 | Sep 19 – Oct 6 |
Or browse carrot planting dates for every state as static pages.
Companions
Onion, Leek, Lettuce, Radish, Pea, Tomato
Dill
Common problems
Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids.
Diseases & disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
Same family (Apiaceae)
Rotate these so they don’t follow each other in the same bed year to year.
Questions gardeners ask
When should I plant carrots?
Sow outdoors about 3 weeks before the last frost; for a fall crop, sow about 11 weeks before your first fall frost. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F. The table on this page gives dates for each USDA zone, and the planting calendar gives dates for your own state or ZIP code.
How long do carrots take to grow?
About 60-80 days from sowing to the first harvest. Seeds germinate in 10-21 days, fastest in soil around 75°F.
How much sun do carrots need?
They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough.
What soil pH do carrots need?
A soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0. It tolerates fairly acidic soil better than most vegetables. Test before adding lime or sulfur - see the soil pH and testing guide.
How far apart should I plant carrots?
Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, or 16 per square foot in a square-foot bed. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep.
Can I grow carrots in a container?
Yes. Use a container at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes and a good potting mix, and water more often than you would in the ground.
Figures are typical home-garden ranges from Cooperative Extension planting guides, cross-checked against multiple state sources. Your variety and conditions will vary.