When to plant carrots in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant carrots in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 15 – Apr 3. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in District of Columbia: Apr 7 · Apr 25 · May 13
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 District of Columbia, 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 15 – Apr 3). 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 District of Columbia.
- 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 19 – Jun 8). 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 District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Mar 15 – Apr 3 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 13 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 28 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in District of Columbia?
Sow carrots in District of Columbia between March 15 and April 3. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 30 and August 16, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will carrots planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 19 to June 8, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.