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When to Plant Celery in Chilton County, AL

Celery is a marshland plant that requires consistent moisture and cool temperatures to produce crisp, flavorful stalks. It is a rewarding but demanding garden crop.

Chilton County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 310 feet, Chilton County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Celery, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Chilton County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Chilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,383 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,675 GDD — county provides 4,103 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Chilton County, AL

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

245 days

Growing Tips for Chilton County

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Keep soil consistently moist and never let it dry out. Blanch stalks by mounding soil or using collars for milder flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Chilton County, AL?

Chilton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chilton County, AL?

Chilton County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chilton County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Chilton County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.