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When to Plant Celery in Clayton County, GA

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.

Clayton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 136 feet, Clayton County receives approximately 56.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Clayton County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Clayton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 836 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,900 GDD — county provides 4,180 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Clayton County, GA

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

220 days

Growing Tips for Clayton 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 Clayton County, GA?

Clayton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clayton County, GA?

Clayton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clayton 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 Clayton County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.