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When to Plant Celery in Nassau County, FL

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.

Nassau County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 290 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Nassau County receives approximately 57.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Celery may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Celery will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Nassau County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
290 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
290 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Nassau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,721 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~2,575 GDD — county provides 7,493 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Nassau County, FL

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 14
Fall Sowing October 6 Oct 6 โ€“ Oct 20
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

290 days

Growing Tips for Nassau 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Nassau County, FL?

Nassau County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nassau County, FL?

Nassau County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nassau County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Nassau County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.