When to plant carrots in Virginia
Virginia’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 188 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Virginia's growing season.
Virginia 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 Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 20 – Apr 8. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Virginia: Apr 12 · Apr 30 · May 18
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 Virginia, 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 20 – Apr 8). 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 Virginia.
- 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 24 – Jun 13). 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 Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Virginia
Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this page) | April 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 8 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 25 – Apr 13 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 19 – Apr 7 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 15 – Apr 3 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 28 |
Questions gardeners in Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Virginia?
Sow carrots in Virginia between March 20 and April 8. That timing is set by Virginia's average last spring frost of April 15; Virginia spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 25 and August 11, so the crop matures in cool weather before Virginia's first frost around October 20.
When will carrots planted in Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 24 to June 13, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 188 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.