When to Plant Carrots: Timing for Every Season

Carrots are a cool-season crop that thrive in both early spring and fall. But with the right planning, you can grow carrots nearly year-round in many climates. The key is knowing when to plant for each season to get the straightest, sweetest roots.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best planting windows for spring, summer, and fall, plus tips for winter sowing and succession planting.

🥕 Carrot Planting Basics

Soil Temperature for Germination: 40–85°F (ideal: 55–75°F)
Days to Germinate: 7–21 days
Days to Maturity: 60–80 days depending on variety
Frost Tolerance: Hardy (tolerates light frosts and improves in flavor with cool weather)

🌱 Spring Planting: Sow Early for a Summer Harvest

Carrots are one of the earliest vegetables you can sow outdoors.

When:

2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date

Why:

Cool soil and spring rains help seeds germinate slowly but steadily. As days lengthen and warm, carrots put on strong top growth and develop sweet roots.

Tips:

Pre-warm the soil with row covers if needed.
Sow extra thick and thin later.
Keep the seedbed consistently moist—drying out is the #1 reason carrot seeds fail.

🌿 Summer Planting: Sow Midseason for Fall and Winter Carrots

You can continue sowing carrots through summer, especially if you want a fall harvest or winter storage crop.

When:

Late June through August, depending on your region

Why:

Carrots planted in midsummer mature into cooler fall temperatures, which improves flavor and sweetness.

Tips:

Use a shade cloth or grow carrots between taller crops to protect seedlings from heat.
Water daily until seeds sprout—carrot seed beds must stay moist in summer.
Choose heat-tolerant or bolt-resistant varieties for warm climates.

🍂 Fall Planting: Sow for an Overwintered Crop (Mild Climates)

In mild winter areas (like USDA Zones 8–10), fall-planted carrots can be grown through winter and harvested as needed.

When:

Late August to October, before the first hard frost

Why:

Carrots will germinate and grow slowly through fall. As winter approaches, their growth slows but the roots become sweeter and store well in the ground.

Tips:

Use floating row covers to extend the season and protect from pests.
Harvest as needed, or cover with straw and overwinter in the ground.

❄️ Winter Sowing: Cold Climates Can Plant in Late Winter or Very Early Spring

In snowy or cold climates, you can sow carrots before the ground thaws using the winter sowing method.

When:

4–6 weeks before the last frost (as soon as soil can be worked)

Why:

Carrot seeds will wait for the right soil temperature to germinate. This method allows for very early harvests.

Tips:

Sow in covered cold frames or tunnels for protection.
Winter-sown carrots are often among the sweetest and most tender.

🔁 Succession Planting: Stagger for Continuous Harvests

Instead of sowing all your carrot seeds at once, plant in waves every 2–3 weeks throughout spring and summer.

Why:

This gives you a steady supply of fresh carrots, avoids overcrowding, and spreads out harvest work.

When:

Start early in spring and continue through midsummer.

🗓️ Quick Planting Guide by Zone (Adjust Based on Local Frost Dates)

USDA Zone	Spring Planting	Last Planting for Fall Harvest
Zone 3–4	May	Mid-July
Zone 5–6	April	Late July
Zone 7	March	August
Zone 8–9	February–March	September
Zone 10+	January–March	October

Always adjust based on your local frost dates and soil temperature. Carrots won’t germinate well in soil above 85°F.

🛠️ My Experience with Timing

Here in Sonoma Valley (Zone 9), I plant carrots three times a year:

February for an early summer harvest
June for fall eating
September for overwintering and sweet spring harvests

I’ve found fall-sown carrots, harvested in winter or early spring, are the most flavorful. Summer sowings are tricky—shade and moisture control are key.