When to plant Carrot
A cool-season root crop that's always direct-sown because the taproot resents being moved. Loose, stone-free soil gives long, straight roots; heavy or rocky ground forks them. Frost makes mature carrots sweeter.
Companions: Onion, leek, rosemary (deter carrot fly); lettuce, radish
How to grow Carrot
Carrot is best direct-sown straight into the garden, as it dislikes being transplanted. Give it full sun and space plants about 3 inches apart. It takes roughly 70 days from planting to its first harvest, so count that against your frost dates to be sure it can finish. It also supports a fall sowing for a second harvest. Classic companions include onion, leek, rosemary (deter carrot fly); lettuce, radish.
Grower's tip: Direct-sow only (roots dislike transplanting). Keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination.
When to plant Carrot by USDA zone
Timing shifts with your climate — the same carrot goes in weeks earlier in a mild zone than a cold one. Find your zone below for its planting window, or open that zone's full calendar.
| Zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Direct sow outdoors May 25–Jun 29 Direct sow outdoors Jun 6–Jun 20 |
| Zone 1b | Direct sow outdoors May 20–Jun 24 Direct sow outdoors Jun 11–Jun 25 |
| Zone 2a | Direct sow outdoors May 15–Jun 19 Direct sow outdoors Jun 16–Jun 30 |
| Zone 2b | Direct sow outdoors May 9–Jun 13 Direct sow outdoors Jun 23–Jul 7 |
| Zone 3a | Direct sow outdoors May 4–Jun 8 Direct sow outdoors Jun 30–Jul 14 |
| Zone 3b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 29–Jun 3 Direct sow outdoors Jul 4–Jul 18 |
| Zone 4a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 24–May 29 Direct sow outdoors Jul 10–Jul 24 |
| Zone 4b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 19–May 24 Direct sow outdoors Jul 14–Jul 28 |
| Zone 5a | Direct sow outdoors Apr 14–May 19 Direct sow outdoors Jul 23–Aug 6 |
| Zone 5b | Direct sow outdoors Apr 9–May 14 Direct sow outdoors Jul 27–Aug 10 |
| Zone 6a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 31–May 5 Direct sow outdoors Aug 8–Aug 22 |
| Zone 6b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 25–Apr 29 Direct sow outdoors Aug 16–Aug 30 |
| Zone 7a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 17–Apr 21 Direct sow outdoors Aug 24–Sep 7 |
| Zone 7b | Direct sow outdoors Mar 11–Apr 15 Direct sow outdoors Sep 1–Sep 15 |
| Zone 8a | Direct sow outdoors Mar 1–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Sep 9–Sep 23 |
| Zone 8b | Direct sow outdoors Feb 22–Mar 29 Direct sow outdoors Sep 16–Sep 30 |
| Zone 9a | Direct sow outdoors Feb 7–Mar 14 Direct sow outdoors Sep 26–Oct 10 |
| Zone 9b | Direct sow outdoors Jan 25–Mar 1 Direct sow outdoors Oct 6–Oct 20 |
| Zone 10a | Direct sow outdoors Jan 10–Feb 14 Direct sow outdoors Oct 19–Nov 2 |
| Zone 10b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 25–Jan 29 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 11a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 11b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 12a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 12b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 13a | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |
| Zone 13b | Direct sow outdoors Dec 11–Jan 15 Direct sow outdoors Oct 22–Nov 5 |