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When to Plant Celery in Oktibbeha 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.

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 430 feet, Oktibbeha County receives approximately 60.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Oktibbeha County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Oktibbeha 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 (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30

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 811 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,900 GDD — county provides 4,351 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Oktibbeha County, MS

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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
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

229 days

Growing Tips for Oktibbeha 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 Oktibbeha County, MS?

Oktibbeha County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oktibbeha County, MS?

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 Oktibbeha County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.