When to Plant Celery in Greene County, IA
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.
Greene County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.
At an elevation of 1,292 feet, Greene County receives approximately 33.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.
Greene County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Greene County
How your county's soil matches Celery's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Greene County is excellent for Celery — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Celery will thrive.
How to Plant Celery
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Celery
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 07 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 27.
Plant Water Budget
Celery Planting Timeline — Greene County, IA
Celery Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Direct Sow | April 13 | Apr 13 – May 4 |
| Fall Sowing | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Harvest | July 20 | Jul 20 – Sep 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.3"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
161 days in Greene County
Growing Tips for Celery in Greene County
Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 27 in Greene County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Celery in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Level Up Your Garden
Celery in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celery in Greene County, IA?
Greene County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Greene County, IA?
Greene County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 5.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Greene County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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