When to plant carrots in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 8 – Mar 27. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Arkansas: Mar 31 · Apr 18 · May 6
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Arkansas, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Mar 8 – Mar 27). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Arkansas.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about May 12 – Jun 1). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. 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.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the carrot dates shift with them.
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 27 – Mar 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Feb 7 – Feb 26 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 17 – Feb 5 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Arkansas?
Sow carrots in Arkansas between March 8 and March 27. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Arkansas?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arkansas's first frost around November 1.
When will carrots planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 12 to June 1, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.