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When to Plant Celery in DeSoto County, MS

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.

DeSoto County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 111 feet, DeSoto County receives approximately 55.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, 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.

DeSoto County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
218 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

DeSoto County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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 ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,651 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” DeSoto County, MS

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 14

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

218 days

Growing Tips for DeSoto 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 DeSoto County, MS?

DeSoto County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeSoto County, MS?

DeSoto County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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