When to plant carrots in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida 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 Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Jan 17 – Feb 5. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Florida: Feb 9 · Feb 27 · Mar 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 Florida, 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 (Jan 17 – Feb 5). 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 Florida.
- 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 Mar 23 – Apr 12). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Jan 17 – Feb 5 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 27 – Mar 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Feb 7 – Feb 26 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Florida?
Sow carrots in Florida between January 17 and February 5. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Florida?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 14 and October 1, so the crop matures in cool weather before Florida's first frost around December 10.
When will carrots planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about March 23 to April 12, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.