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When to Plant Celery in Colquitt 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.

Colquitt County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 211 feet, Colquitt County receives approximately 54.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Colquitt County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Colquitt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 1,407 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~2,200 GDD — county provides 5,676 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Colquitt County, GA

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 14
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jul 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

258 days

Growing Tips for Colquitt 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 Colquitt County, GA?

Colquitt County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colquitt County, GA?

Colquitt County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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