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When to Plant Celery in Cuming County, NE

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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25

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
0.5″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,193 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Cuming County, NE

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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

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 5a

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Cuming 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cuming County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cuming County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.