When to Plant Carrot in Massachusetts
Direct Sow Outdoors
Friday, February 27, 2026
State
Massachusetts
USDA Zones
6a, 6b, 7a
Avg Last Frost
Friday, April 10, 2026
Cities Covered
27
Massachusetts Planting Schedule by Zone
Massachusetts spans 3 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|
| 6a | Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
| 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.
🌿 About Carrot
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Growing Carrot in Massachusetts: Complete Guide
Carrot (Daucus carota) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Massachusetts, the right time to direct sow is around Friday, February 27, 2026, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.
Because Massachusetts stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (6a, 6b, 7a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.
With 70 days to maturity, Carrot fits comfortably within Massachusetts's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.
Carrot requires full sun to partial shade and regular (1 inch/week) moisture. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.
For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Massachusetts.
Growing Carrot in Massachusetts: Local Tips
Climate-specific advice for Massachusetts gardeners.
Sow as early as soil can be worked
Carrots germinate in soil as cold as 40°F (slowly); sowing in late March–April in Zone 5–6 gives you a June harvest before heat causes bolting and cracking.
Fall carrots are sweeter
A late July–August sowing matures in cool fall weather and benefits from frost, which converts starches to sugar; many Northeastern gardeners prefer their fall carrots over spring ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Carrot in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, direct sow Carrot outdoors around Friday, February 27, 2026. Massachusetts spans zones 6a–7a, so gardeners in warmer zones can plant earlier.
What is the last frost date in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts spans 3 USDA zones (6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Andover (6a) sees frost until around Monday, April 20, 2026, while Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge (7a) is frost-free much earlier.
How long does Carrot take to grow in Massachusetts?
Carrot takes about 70 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. In Massachusetts's longer-season zones, a second planting in late summer may be possible.
What USDA zones does Massachusetts cover for Carrot?
Massachusetts includes zones 6a, 6b, 7a. Carrot grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.
When to Plant Carrot by City in Massachusetts
Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.
| City | Zone | Last Frost | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allston | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Andover | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Boston | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Braintree | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Brighton | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Cambridge | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Charlestown | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Chelsea | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Everett | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Hyde Park | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Jamaica Plain | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Malden | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Mattapan | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Medford | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Melrose | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Milton | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Milton Village | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Quincy | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Readville | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Revere | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Roslindale | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Somerville | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |
| Stoneham | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| West Medford | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| West Roxbury | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Weymouth | 6b | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Wednesday, March 4, 2026 |
| Winthrop | 7a | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Friday, February 27, 2026 |