Quick planting window
| Start indoors | Not recommended; sow seeds directly instead |
|---|---|
| Transplant | Not recommended; sow seeds directly to avoid root disturbance |
| Sow seeds | February to March |
| Estimated harvest | May to June |
| Risk | Medium risk |
Month calendar
Scan the year by month to see seed starting, sowing, transplanting, and harvest timing.
Carrot is a reasonable spring choice for California if you adjust for your local microclimate.
Next: ZIP code personalization
This is a state-level planning window based on typical frost timing and crop rules. Use local Extension guidance or a ZIP code frost-date tool before planting.
Planning notes
Days to maturity
70
Covered states
20
Maturity range
28-240 days
Crop overview pages compare state windows; open a specific state page to see that state's frost dates, heat risk, and Extension source.
Carrot growing notes
The calendar window is only the first step. These growing details affect survival, plant vigor, and harvest quality.
Sun
Full sun to light shade.
Soil
Deep, loose, stone-free soil.
Spacing
Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches.
Container
Use deep containers, ideally 10-12+ inches.
Watering
Keep the top layer moist until germination.
Common mistake
Letting the seedbed dry out before seeds sprout.
Beginner tip
Cover lightly and be patient; germination can be slow.
Month window table
| State | Spring transplant / sow | Spring harvest | Fall transplant / sow | Fall harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | February to March | May to June | September to October | November to December |
| New York | April to May | June to July | July to August | October |
| Texas | February to March | May to June | August to September | November to December |
| Washington | April to May | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| New Jersey | April to May | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| Florida | January to February | March to April | October to November | December to January |
| North Carolina | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Georgia | March to April | May to June | August to September | November to December |
| Illinois | April to May | June to July | August | October to November |
| Ohio | April to May | June to July | August | October to November |
| Pennsylvania | April to May | June to July | August | October to November |
| Michigan | April to May | July to August | July to August | October |
| Arizona | February to March | April to May | September to October | November to December |
| Oregon | March to April | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| Massachusetts | April to May | June to July | July to August | October to November |
| Minnesota | April to May | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Virginia | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Colorado | April to May | July to August | July to August | October |
| Tennessee | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Missouri | March to April | June to July | August to September | October to November |
Sources and limits
This crop overview summarizes typical frost windows and crop rules across 20 states. Because it is not tied to one state, the links below point to representative state Extension sources; state and crop-state pages show the matching state source.
Note: this overview shows a sample of sources; each state page exposes its own Extension reference.
FAQ
When should I start carrot indoors?
Carrot is usually not worth starting indoors; outdoor sowing is more practical.
Can I sow carrot outdoors?
Carrot can be sown outdoors when soil and nights are suitable. In California, the spring estimate is about February to March.
When should I transplant carrot?
Carrot is not usually transplanted because root disturbance can hurt establishment.
How long does carrot take to harvest?
Carrot is listed at about 70 days to maturity. Cool weather, weak light, or stress can extend that timeline.
Is carrot container friendly?
Yes. Use deep containers, ideally 10-12+ inches.
What is the most common carrot mistake?
Letting the seedbed dry out before seeds sprout.
Is carrot better in spring or fall?
Both spring and fall can work in many states, but fall timing should count backward from the first frost date.
Is this ZIP-code accurate?
No. V1 uses conservative state-level windows and reserves ZIP-code frost dates, USDA zone matching, and reminders for the next phase.