When to plant carrots in Arizona
Arizona’s average last spring frost is March 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 245 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arizona's growing season.
Arizona covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant carrots in Arizona: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 17 – Mar 8. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Arizona: Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 17
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 Arizona, 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 (Feb 17 – Mar 8). 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 Arizona.
- 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 Apr 23 – May 13). 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 Arizona’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b. 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant carrot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | - | Apr 14 – May 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | - | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | - | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | - | Mar 10 – Mar 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | - | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | - | Jan 25 – Feb 13 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | - | Jan 4 – Jan 23 |
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona (this page) | March 15 | Feb 17 – Mar 8 |
| New Mexico | April 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 13 |
Questions gardeners in Arizona ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Arizona?
Sow carrots in Arizona between February 17 and March 8. That timing is set by Arizona's average last spring frost of March 15; Arizona spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Arizona?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 20 and September 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arizona's first frost around November 15.
When will carrots planted in Arizona be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about April 23 to May 13, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Arizona?
On average around March 15, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 245 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.