When to plant carrots in Maryland
Maryland’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 189 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maryland's growing season.
Maryland 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 Maryland: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 19 – Apr 7. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Maryland: Apr 11 · Apr 29 · May 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 Maryland, 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 19 – Apr 7). 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 Maryland.
- 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 23 – Jun 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 Maryland’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland (this page) | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 13 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 15 – Apr 3 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 28 |
Questions gardeners in Maryland ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Maryland?
Sow carrots in Maryland between March 19 and April 7. That timing is set by Maryland's average last spring frost of April 14; Maryland spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Maryland?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 25 and August 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maryland's first frost around October 20.
When will carrots planted in Maryland be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 23 to June 12, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maryland?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 189 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.