Can Carrots Be Planted in the Fall

Aug 15

In the South and part of the Midwest, carrots can be planted in the fall. I now live in Southern California and grew up in Indiana and I can tell you that the fall is a perfect time to plant carrots.

Carrots will germinate fast in temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes September a perfect time to sow seeds in many locations.

Unlike your spring carrots which most likely took nearly a month to germinate and sprout, in September they will germinate within a week. I’ve even had carrot sprouts pop up within 4 days.

Once carrots have sprouted in your garden, most varieties take between 60 and 75 days to mature; however, you can pull them early and eat baby carrots, a rare delicacy you won’t find at any grocery store. And no, I’m not talking about those fake baby carrots that are just cut-up big carrots and rebranded in a cute bag.

Carrots can tolerate a light frost and I’ve found that a slight chill in the late fall can help sweeten the carrot flavor, so don’t be afraid of a little chill in the 30-degree range.

And even in places like Indiana and Illinois which sometimes get their first frost in October, your carrots will still be big enough that you can enjoy baby carrots before winter really sets in. Not to mention that when you thin carrots for the first time, you’ll also have delicious carrot sprouts you can eat in salads and smoothies.

So yes, plant some carrots this fall.

Where Can Carrots Be Planted in the Fall

In parts of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia you can plant carrots in the fall.

Depending on what part of those states you live in, you may only be able to plant during certain months. For a complete guide state-by-state, including regions, check out my definitive guide on when to plant carrots.

Can I Plant Carrots in September

September is an excellent month to plant carrots for those who live in the South, part of the Midwest, and even West Tennessee.

Depending on your specific location, you may want to plant in early September to ensure your carrots have enough time to reach maturity.

Can I Plant Carrots in October

By October, it’s too late to plant for the Midwest, but if you’re in parts of the South, you can plant all the way through the end of the year.

Places like Southern California, Florida, Louisiana, and South Texas grow carrots throughout the fall and into winter.

What Are the Best Carrots to Plant in the Fall

If you live in the South and aren’t worried about a short growing season due to freezing temperatures, you can grow any type of carrot. Depending on what you want to use it for, here’s a list of 5 types of carrots I recommend growing this fall.

If you live in the Midwest and you only have a month or two to grow carrots this fall, I recommend growing these carrots:

Little finger carrots - An imperator variety that has a shorter growing time
Atomic Red - Another imperator variety that is cold-resistant
Tonda di Parigi - A ball carrot with a shorter growing time
Red Cored Chantenay - A slightly longer growing cycle than the others, but still shorter than many

When Do I Harvest Fall Carrots

If you’re in the South, you can most likely let your carrots grow to maturity because the ground never really freezes. However, I wouldn’t overwinter my carrots (unless you’re saving them for seeds) because it can expose them to carrot pests.

If you live in the Midwest or anywhere the ground freezes, you can leave your carrots in the ground after a frost, but I would harvest them before the ground freezes.