When to plant carrots in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s average last spring frost is May 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 10 — about 162 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Pennsylvania's growing season.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 5 – Apr 24. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Pennsylvania: Apr 28 · May 16 · Jun 3
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 Pennsylvania, 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 (Apr 5 – Apr 24). 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 Pennsylvania.
- 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 Jun 9 – Jun 29). 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 Pennsylvania’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (this page) | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 13 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| Maryland | 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 Pennsylvania ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Pennsylvania?
Sow carrots in Pennsylvania between April 5 and April 24. That timing is set by Pennsylvania's average last spring frost of May 1; Pennsylvania spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Pennsylvania?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 15 and August 1, so the crop matures in cool weather before Pennsylvania's first frost around October 10.
When will carrots planted in Pennsylvania be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about June 9 to June 29, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?
On average around May 1, with the first fall frost around October 10 - about 162 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.