Carrots planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Carrots is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors
April 3 – April 24
Expected first harvest
June 19 – July 17
Fall planting window
July 2 – July 23
Fall harvest window
September 17 – October 15

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
3″
Row spacing
12″
Seed depth
0.25″
Soil temperature
45–75°F
Frost tolerance
hardy
Days to harvest
70 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

Keep soil surface moist until germination (2–3 weeks). Board over the row or light straw helps hold moisture.

Plant near: onions, leeks, tomatoes

Keep away from: dill

Other root crops for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.