When to plant carrots in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 6 – Mar 25. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Oklahoma: Mar 29 · Apr 16 · May 4
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 Oklahoma, 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 6 – Mar 25). 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 Oklahoma.
- 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 10 – May 30). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Mar 6 – Mar 25 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 19 – May 8 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 14 – May 3 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | Apr 4 – Apr 23 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Oklahoma?
Sow carrots in Oklahoma between March 6 and March 25. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Oklahoma?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Oklahoma's first frost around November 1.
When will carrots planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 10 to May 30, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.