Planting calendar
When to plant carrots in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 4b-5b. Average last spring frost: 05-05. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Daucus carota.
Iowa planting dates for carrots
| Phase | Date in Iowa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sow outside | April 14 | 3 weeks before last frost |
Why these dates
Carrots are slow to germinate (14-21 days) and need loose, rock-free soil at least 8 inches deep. Avoid fresh manure - it causes forking.
The dates above are anchored to Iowa's average last spring frost date of 05-05, with offsets standard across university Extension publications. For zone-specific local timing, use the frost date lookup tool with your ZIP code.
More on growing carrots
The full growing guide for carrots - varieties, soil, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage - is here: Carrots growing guide.
More Iowa planting information
- Full Iowa planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator