When to plant carrot in zone 9b — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAY

Sow Jan 18 · First harvest Mar 24 · Wrap by May 5

Last spring frostFeb 15

Direct sowJan 18

First harvestMar 24

Last harvestMay 5

Fall succession sowSep 24

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 frost-free days. Carrot tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Sep 24 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does carrot take to grow in zone 9b?

Carrot matures in about 65–80 days from sowing. In zone 9b that means sowing around Jan 18 and first picking around Mar 24.

Will carrot survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — carrot tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

Can I plant a second crop of carrot in zone 9b?

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 24 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full carrot growing guide →