California · zones 7a–10b
When to plant carrots in California.
Sow between Jan 1 to Jan 9 in a typical year, keyed to California's median last frost around Jan 14. A second, fall sowing fits Sep 18 to Oct 14. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Carrots dates for a typical California season.
Direct sow
Jan 1 to Jan 9
Keyed to the ~Jan 14 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 2" apart.
Fall round
Sep 18 to Oct 14
Counted back from the ~Dec 14 first frost.
Harvest
~68 days later
~0.2 lb per plant over ~2 weeks.
California spans more than one climate: Zone 10 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 10b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.