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When to Plant Celery in Lowndes 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.

Lowndes County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 392 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Celery may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Lowndes County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,091 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~2,125 GDD — county provides 5,163 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Lowndes County, AL

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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 8a

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, AL?

Lowndes County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, AL?

Lowndes County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lowndes County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Lowndes County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.