Planting guide · zone 9a
When to plant carrots in zone 9a
In zone 9a, the average last spring frost is Feb 28 and the first fall frost is Dec 1. Here is carrots's whole year, counted from those dates.
Jan 31Direct sowSpring
Feb 21Succession sowing 2Spring
Sep 8Direct sowFall
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Deep, loose, sandy loam free of rocks. Skip fresh compost or manure — rich clumps cause forked, hairy roots.
Seedling care
Germination is slow (1–3 weeks) and the bed must never dry out. A board or burlap over the row until sprouts appear keeps moisture in — check daily.
Growing notes
Thin ruthlessly to 2–3 in; crowded carrots stay skinny. Rows 12–18 in apart.
Harvest
Fall carrots kissed by frost are the sweetest of the year. Mulch deeply and harvest straight through winter.
Same crop, other zones
Carrots in zone 7b →Carrots in zone 8a →Carrots in zone 8b →Carrots in zone 9b →