root · direct sow
Carrot: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating carrot a few times a week needs about 23 plants in ~4 sq ft, worth about $7 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$1.50/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 6 | ~1 sq ft | ~13 | ~$2 |
| 2 people | 12 | ~2 sq ft | ~26 | ~$4 |
| 4 people | 23 | ~4 sq ft | ~50 | ~$7 |
| 6 people | 35 | ~6 sq ft | ~75 | ~$11 |
Spacing
2" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.25"
Days to harvest
68 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 7 – May 10 | Jun 20 – Jul 16 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 2 – May 5 | Jun 30 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 23 – Apr 25 | Jul 10 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 13 – Apr 15 | Jul 20 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 26 – Mar 31 | Jul 30 – Aug 25 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 15 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 13 – Feb 15 | Sep 9 – Oct 5 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 24 – Jan 26 | Sep 19 – Oct 15 |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Shoulders 3/4 to 1 inch across at the soil line, brush soil back and look. Color should be deep for the variety.
Don't wait: Left too long in warm soil they crack and turn woody-cored; in fall, frost only makes them sweeter.
Yield
About 1 count per plant over ~2 productive weeks (~0.2 lb). Re-sow every ~21 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids · Alternaria leaf blight, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with onion, onion, leek, lettuce. Keep away from dill, fennel, parsnip. Which of these hold up, and what not to plant after
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
41 kcal · 2.8 g fiber · 5.9 mg vitamin C · 320 mg potassium
When to plant carrot in your state
Pick your state for exact sow windows.
Each page keys carrotto that state's typical frost dates, with spring and fall windows and the indoor-start date where it helps.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Carrot keeps for months in cool storage. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Carrot planting questions
How many carrot plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 6 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 23 plants, which takes around 4 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does carrot need?+
Space plants 2" apart in the row with 12" between rows. Sow 0.25" deep. Direct sow in the bed.
When should I plant carrot?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. It also has a fall window keyed to your first fall frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing carrot worth it?+
At about $1.50/lb retail and ~0.2 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $7 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.