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When to Plant Celery in Morton County, KS

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.

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Morton County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Morton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20

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 Morton County

How your county's soil matches Celery's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.4) is more alkaline than Celery prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Morton County is excellent for Celery โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Celery.

How to Plant Celery

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celery

2
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,436 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Celery needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 3,285 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Morton County, KS

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.3"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

180 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Celery in Morton County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 20 in Morton 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.

Morton County receives only 24" of rain annually. Celery needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Morton County, KS?

Morton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morton County, KS?

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morton County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Morton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.