When to plant · 202 cities · zones 8a–11a

When to plant carrots in California

Direct sow nantes carrot around Jan 24 — the California statewide median, counted from a last spring frost of Feb 7 across 1,426 ZIP codes and 311 NOAA stations.

Jan 24Direct sowDec 22 – Apr 20 across the state
Feb 7Last spring frostmedian · 1 in 10 years after Mar 12
Apr 4First harvest70 days from sow

The rule: Direct sow two weeks before the last frost and keep the top half-inch of soil damp for the 14–21 days it takes to germinate.

California carrots, by step

Statewide median last frost Feb 7, first fall frost Dec 7, 2027 season. Each cultivar's own indoor lead time and days to maturity, same engine as the Plan Builder.

CultivarStart indoorsSowFirst harvestDays
Nantes CarrotScarlet NantesDirect sowJan 24Apr 470 from sow

Tight means first harvest lands within two weeks of the median first fall frost. Statewide dates are the ZIP-weighted median of every NOAA 1991–2020 station California's ZIP codes resolve to; 375 of 1,801 ZIPs have no datable freeze and are left out.

Carrots in California, city by city

Nantes Carrot, scheduled from each city's nearest NOAA station — the same dates as its frost page.

CityLast frostSowFirst harvest
Los Angeleszone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
San Diegozone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
San Josezone 9bJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
Fresnozone 9bJan 14Dec 31Mar 11
Sacramentozone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Long Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Oaklandzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Bakersfieldzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Anaheimzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Stocktonzone 9bFeb 5Jan 22Apr 2
Riversidezone 10aJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Irvinezone 10aJan 5Dec 22Mar 2
Santa Anazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Chula Vistazone 10bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Santa Claritazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Fremontzone 10aJan 1Dec 18Feb 26
San Bernardinozone 10aMay 5Apr 21Jun 30
Modestozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Fontanazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Moreno Valleyzone 9bJan 10Dec 27Mar 7
Oxnardzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Huntington Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Glendalezone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Ontariozone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Elk Grovezone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 30
Santa Rosazone 9aFeb 25Feb 11Apr 22
Rancho Cucamongazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Garden Grovezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Oceansidezone 10aJan 23Jan 9Mar 20
Lancasterzone 8aApr 3Mar 20May 29
Rosevillezone 9bFeb 25Feb 11Apr 22
Palmdalezone 8bMar 10Feb 24May 5
Coronazone 10aJan 17Jan 3Mar 14
Salinaszone 9bJan 29Jan 15Mar 26
Haywardzone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
Sunnyvalezone 10aJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Escondidozone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
Pomonazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Visaliazone 9bJan 23Jan 9Mar 20
Victorvillezone 8bMar 18Mar 4May 13
Fullertonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Torrancezone 10bJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Orangezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Pasadenazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Santa Clarazone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Cloviszone 9bJan 14Dec 31Mar 11
Simi Valleyzone 10aJan 24Jan 10Mar 21
Thousand Oakszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Concordzone 9bJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Vallejozone 9bMar 5Feb 19Apr 30
Fairfieldzone 9bJan 15Jan 1Mar 12
Berkeleyzone 10aJan 3Dec 20Feb 28
Antiochzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Menifeezone 9bJan 28Jan 14Mar 25
Richmondzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Carlsbadzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Murrietazone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 30
Temeculazone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 30
Santa Mariazone 9bFeb 4Jan 21Apr 1
San Buenaventura (Ventura)zone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Downeyzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Costa Mesazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Jurupa Valleyzone 10aJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
West Covinazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Rialtozone 10aJan 10Dec 27Mar 7
El Montezone 10bJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Vacavillezone 9bFeb 18Feb 4Apr 15
Burbankzone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
El Cajonzone 10aJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
San Mateozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Chicozone 9bMar 4Feb 18Apr 29
Inglewoodzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Hesperiazone 8bMay 5Apr 21Jun 30
Daly Cityzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Tracyzone 9bJan 19Jan 5Mar 16
Vistazone 10aJan 30Jan 16Mar 27
Norwalkzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
San Marcoszone 10aJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
Mercedzone 9aMar 3Feb 17Apr 28
Mantecazone 9bFeb 6Jan 23Apr 3
Indiozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Chinozone 9bJan 17Jan 3Mar 14
Reddingzone 9aMar 3Feb 17Apr 28
Hemetzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Mission Viejozone 10bJan 5Dec 22Mar 2
Carsonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Comptonzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
South Gatezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Santa Monicazone 11afrost rareJan 1Mar 12
Westminsterzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Folsomzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Mountain Viewzone 9bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Santa Barbarazone 10bJan 13Dec 30Mar 10
Lake Forestzone 10bJan 5Dec 22Mar 2
Citrus Heightszone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
San Leandrozone 10aJan 7Dec 24Mar 4
San Ramonzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Apr 12
Whittierzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Livermorezone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Apr 12
Rancho Cordovazone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Hawthornezone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Perriszone 9bJan 10Dec 27Mar 7
Redwood Cityzone 10aJan 17Jan 3Mar 14
Newport Beachzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Buena Parkzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Alhambrazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Milpitaszone 10aJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Uplandzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Tustinzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Alamedazone 10aJan 7Dec 24Mar 4
Lakewoodzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Chino Hillszone 10aJan 17Jan 3Mar 14
Pittsburgzone 9bJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Napazone 9bFeb 12Jan 29Apr 9
Bellflowerzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Pleasantonzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Apr 12
Rocklinzone 9bFeb 25Feb 11Apr 22
Apple Valleyzone 8bMar 18Mar 4May 13
Redlandszone 10aJan 27Jan 13Mar 24
Lake Elsinorezone 9bJan 28Jan 14Mar 25
Turlockzone 9bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Tularezone 9bJan 23Jan 9Mar 20
Walnut Creekzone 9bMar 8Feb 22May 3
Eastvalezone 10aJan 17Jan 3Mar 14
Dublinzone 9bFeb 15Feb 1Apr 12
Camarillozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Baldwin Parkzone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Yuba Cityzone 9bFeb 11Jan 28Apr 8
Maderazone 9bFeb 12Jan 29Apr 9
Lodizone 9bFeb 9Jan 26Apr 6
Redondo Beachzone 11afrost rareJan 1Mar 12
Palo Altozone 9bFeb 1Jan 18Mar 29
Daviszone 9bFeb 10Jan 27Apr 7
Yorba Lindazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Brentwoodzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Union Cityzone 9bJan 2Dec 19Feb 27
South San Franciscozone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Laguna Niguelzone 10bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Lynwoodzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Portervillezone 9bFeb 20Feb 6Apr 17
Woodlandzone 9bFeb 7Jan 24Apr 4
San Clementezone 10bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Santa Cruzzone 9bJan 29Jan 15Mar 26
La Habrazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Encinitaszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
La Mesazone 10bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Montebellozone 10bJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Hanfordzone 9aFeb 7Jan 24Apr 4
Gilroyzone 9bFeb 24Feb 10Apr 21
San Rafaelzone 10aJan 11Dec 28Mar 8
Beaumontzone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Petalumazone 9bFeb 28Feb 14Apr 25
Pico Riverazone 10bJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Santeezone 10aJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Gardenazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Cupertinozone 9bMar 21Mar 7May 16
National Cityzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Monterey Parkzone 10bJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Highlandzone 10aJan 27Jan 13Mar 24
Lincolnzone 9aFeb 25Feb 11Apr 22
Fountain Valleyzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
West Sacramentozone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 30
San Jacintozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Arcadiazone 10aJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Yucaipazone 9bJan 27Jan 13Mar 24
Coltonzone 10aJan 10Dec 27Mar 7
Placentiazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Delanozone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Palm Desertzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Cathedral Cityzone 10aJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Novatozone 9bJan 11Dec 28Mar 8
Diamond Barzone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Huntington Parkzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Watsonvillezone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Paramountzone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Aliso Viejozone 10bJan 6Dec 23Mar 3
Glendorazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
San Luis Obispozone 9bJan 16Jan 2Mar 13
Rosemeadzone 10bJan 4Dec 21Mar 1
Powayzone 10aMar 4Feb 18Apr 29
Cypresszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Cereszone 9bJan 31Jan 17Mar 28
Covinazone 10aJan 8Dec 25Mar 5
Los Banoszone 9aJan 26Jan 12Mar 23
Azusazone 10aApr 28Apr 14Jun 23
Breazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Oakleyzone 9bJan 12Dec 29Mar 9
Cerritoszone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
La Miradazone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Rancho Santa Margaritazone 10bfrost rareJan 17Mar 28
Newarkzone 10aJan 1Dec 18Feb 26
Morgan Hillzone 9bFeb 24Feb 10Apr 21
Palm Springszone 10aJan 9Dec 26Mar 6
Coachellazone 10aFeb 7Jan 24Apr 4
Hollisterzone 9bFeb 19Feb 5Apr 16
Rohnert Parkzone 9aFeb 28Feb 14Apr 25
El Centrozone 10aJan 3Dec 20Feb 28
Lompoczone 10aJan 20Jan 6Mar 17
Danvillezone 9bMar 8Feb 22May 3
Campbellzone 9bFeb 2Jan 19Mar 30
San Brunozone 10aJan 11Dec 28Mar 8
Stantonzone 10afrost rareJan 17Mar 28

What California carrots need

SeedsThe cultivar decides the sauce. Everything downstream is damage control.
  • Scarlet Nantes Carrot Seed

    The carrot that makes a fermented habanero sauce work. It brings sweetness and body so the sauce has texture without thickener and heat without being one-dimensional.

StartSoil temperature and light intensity, indoors, weeks before your frost date.
  • Organic Seed Starter Potting MixMust have

    Seed-starting mix is not potting soil with a nicer label — it is finer, lighter, and low in nutrients on purpose, because a seedling's first roots want air and moisture, not fertiliser.

GrowRoot volume, nutrition and structure. Where most home crops actually fail.
  • Ocean Forest Potting SoilMust have

    Pre-charged with enough nutrition to carry a transplant for its first month without feeding, which is exactly the window when most container plants stall.

  • 5-Gallon Fabric Grow Bags, 5-Pack

    Fabric pots air-prune roots and drain faster than a plastic pot can, which is the entire reason container tomatoes fail. Five gallons is the honest minimum for a pepper; a tomato wants ten.

  • Rapitest Soil Test Kit

    In-ground growers are guessing until they test. pH outside 6.0–6.8 locks nutrients out no matter how much fertiliser you add, and no amount of feeding fixes that.

  • 3-in-1 Soil Moisture / Light / pH Tester

    Used for one thing — is the root zone actually dry six inches down — it prevents both halves of the most common container failure. Ignore the pH scale on it entirely.

HarvestTiming, handling, and weighing what you actually got.
  • Garden Harvest Basket with Tool Caddy

    A harvest basket that doubles as a colander means the hose rinse happens in the garden, and the dirt stays outside. On a 20-pound tomato day that is a genuine time saving.

Paid links. We earn a commission from Amazon if you buy; you pay the same. Disclosure.

Carrots in California: questions

When should I plant carrots in California?

Direct sow around Jan 24 at the statewide median; across the state that date runs from Dec 22 in the warmest tenth of California's ZIP codes to Apr 20 in the coldest. To cut the freeze risk to one year in ten, count from Mar 12 instead of the median last frost. Use the city table for your own town.

When is the last frost in California?

The ZIP-weighted median of NOAA 1991–2020 station medians is Feb 7. In the warmest tenth of California's ZIP codes the median last frost falls on or before Jan 5; in the coldest tenth, on or after May 4.

When will California carrots be ready to harvest?

Nantes Carrot planted on the statewide date is ready around Apr 4: 70 days from sow.

More for California

Carrots in every state → · California frost dates → · How frost-date math works →