When to plant carrots in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 7 – Feb 26. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Mar 2 · Mar 20 · Apr 7
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 Louisiana, 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 7 – Feb 26). 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 Louisiana.
- 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 13 – May 3). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Feb 7 – Feb 26 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Feb 27 – Mar 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 17 – Feb 5 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Louisiana?
Sow carrots in Louisiana between February 7 and February 26. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 20 and September 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will carrots planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about April 13 to May 3, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.