Planting Guides
When to Plant Carrots in Memphis: Zone 7b Dates + Best Varieties
Memphis, Tennessee
USDA Zone 7b
Last Frost: Apr 5
Last updated: October 30, 2025
Plant carrots in Memphis from early March through mid-April for spring harvest. Sow fall crops in late August through late September for sweet roots that mature through Zone 7b's warm autumn.
— Image © PlantReference.org 2026
Quick Answer
Sow carrot seeds outdoors early March through mid-April in Memphis for spring harvest. Plant fall crops late August through late September for Zone 7b's sweetest roots.
TL;DR
Memphis's Zone 7b provides a 210-day growing season between the April 5 last frost and November 1 first frost, with generous windows for both spring and fall carrots. Sow spring crops early March through mid-April, then plant fall carrots late August through late September for the sweetest roots of the year. Daucus carota subsp. sativus 'Danvers 126' handles Memphis's heavy alluvial clay, while Daucus carota subsp. sativus 'Nantes' delivers peak flavor in well-drained raised beds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting carrots in Memphis?
Start sowing carrot seeds outdoors in early March, about four weeks before Memphis's April 5 average last frost. Carrots tolerate light frost without damage. Continue succession sowings every two weeks through mid-April for staggered spring harvest.
What is the best carrot variety for Memphis soil?
Daucus carota subsp. sativus 'Danvers 126' is the most reliable variety for Memphis's heavy alluvial silty clay. The conical root generates enough force to penetrate dense soil, and the firm flesh stores well for months.
How do I handle Memphis's heavy rainfall for carrot growing?
Memphis's 50+ inches of annual rainfall creates persistent drainage problems in alluvial clay. Raised beds elevated 6-12 inches above grade are the most effective solution—they move the root zone above the saturation level. Incorporate coarse sand and organic matter into bed soil for internal drainage channels.
Can I grow carrots through Memphis's summer?
Not effectively. Soil temperatures exceed 75°F from late June through mid-August, producing bitter terpenoid compounds. Memphis's high humidity compounds the heat stress on foliage, promoting disease even if roots could tolerate the temperature.
Can I overwinter carrots in Memphis?
Yes. Memphis's Zone 7b winters are mild enough for mulched fall carrots to remain in the ground through December, January, and often into February. Apply 3-4 inches of straw after the November 1 first frost. Memphis rarely experiences the sustained single-digit temperatures that damage mulched roots.
How does Memphis soil differ from Nashville soil?
Memphis sits on the Mississippi River floodplain, where centuries of alluvial deposits created heavy, fertile silty clay with neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Nashville sits on the Central Basin, where limestone bedrock weathers into a different clay-loam with slightly alkaline pH (6.5-7.5) and limestone rock fragments. Memphis soil is generally more fertile but has worse drainage. Nashville soil has better drainage but contains rocks that fork roots. Both cities require different strategies despite sharing the same state.
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Marcus Washington
Marcus manages the grounds at a historic property in Memphis and runs a side business doing residential garden design. He grew up helping his grandfather maintain a large vegetable garden in the Mississippi Delta and carried that knowledge into formal training—he has a degree in landscape technology. Memphis sits in a sweet spot for growing: long warm seasons, decent rainfall, and mild enough winters that many marginally hardy plants survive. Marcus writes about Southern gardening traditions, ornamental garden design, and dealing with the humidity and heavy rainfall that define the Mid-South climate.
