When to plant carrot in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant carrot shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about December 8 in San Mateo to May 19 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | December 12 – January 23 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | December 16 – January 27 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | December 12 – January 23 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 9 – January 20 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 24 – February 4 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 22 – February 2 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | December 19 – January 30 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | December 17 – January 28 |
Carrot in California: FAQ
When can I plant carrot in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow carrot spans roughly December 8 in San Mateo to May 19 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the carrot planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right carrot planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does carrot take to grow in California?
Carrot takes about 60–80 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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