Needs fertile soil and steady moisture; dry spells or heat make stalks stringy and bitter. Fall starts have time to size before spring.
EdibleCool-season crop
Growing spaceVegetable bedClimate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9bCrop familyApiaceae (carrot)Life cycleAnnual cropPhoenix planting windowStart seed in August–September; transplant September–December.How to plantStart tiny seed in trays and set out sturdy transplants.Plant spacing8–12 inFrostLight frost tolerated; cover during a hard freeze.Time to harvestAbout 120–150 daysSuccessionOne or two fall transplant batches.Special categoriesEDIBLETypical harvestCut outer stalks or whole plants in winter and early spring.
Before you plant
These conditions determine whether it will thrive.
Cold hardinessCover in a hard freeze
One of the more frost-sensitive cool crops. Cover it during a hard freeze.
Heat toleranceNeeds afternoon shade
A long cool-season crop. Stalks turn stringy and bitter in heat, so plant by December and harvest by April in Phoenix.
