Rhode Island · zones 6b–7a
When to plant carrots in Rhode Island.
Sow between Mar 3 to Apr 5 in a typical year, keyed to Rhode Island's median last frost around Apr 10. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 1 to Aug 27. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Carrots dates for a typical Rhode Island season.
Direct sow
Mar 3 to Apr 5
Keyed to the ~Apr 10 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 2" apart.
Fall round
Aug 1 to Aug 27
Counted back from the ~Oct 27 first frost.
Harvest
~68 days later
~0.2 lb per plant over ~2 weeks.
Rhode Island spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 7a. 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.
In Rhode Island: watch for
The pests that find carrots here.
A middle-length season, about 200 frost-free days, means carrot overlaps carrot rust fly for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Rusty tunnels in the roots and stunted tops.
Organic fix: Cover the row; rotate away from last year's carrots.
Big green-and-black striped caterpillars on the foliage.
Organic fix: Handpick (or leave for swallowtails); Bt if heavy.
Brown spots ringed in yellow on the oldest leaves first, darkening until the tops look scorched.
Organic fix: Water at the base rather than overhead, turn under old carrot tops, and leave 2 years between carrot crops.
Your season math: Rhode Island gives carrots about 200 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 68 days to a first harvest. That fits about 7 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting carrots in Rhode Island: questions
When should I plant carrots in Rhode Island?+
In a typical Rhode Island year, sow carrots between Mar 3 to Apr 5, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 10. There's also a fall window: Aug 1 to Aug 27. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Rhode Island?+
Rhode Island spans zones 6b–7a, mostly zone 6. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many carrots plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.