Blog

When to Plant Celery in Broadwater County, MT

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.

Broadwater County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 7,806 feet, Broadwater County receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, 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.

Broadwater County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Broadwater County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celery

Celery needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celery Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Broadwater County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Broadwater County, MT

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Oct 7
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Jul 12

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 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

123 days in Broadwater County

Growing Tips for Broadwater 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Broadwater County, MT?

Broadwater County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broadwater County, MT?

Broadwater County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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