Blog

When to Plant Celery in Caribou County, ID

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.

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 109 days.

At an elevation of 6,562 feet, Caribou County receives approximately 15.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Celery successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Caribou County, ID (Zone 4b) Short season
109 days
Last Spring Frost May 30
109 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Caribou County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 6 Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Nov 4

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
0.6″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,060 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Celery needs ~1,075 GDD — county provides 1,171 GDD Good fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Caribou County, ID

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 8
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Oct 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July Fall Sowing
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

109 days

Growing Tips for Caribou 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 Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 30. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caribou County, ID?

Caribou County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 30 and first fall frost is September 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Caribou County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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