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When to Plant Celery in Yates County, NY

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.

Yates County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 574 feet, Yates County receives approximately 44.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Yates County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Yates County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 459 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,186 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Yates County, NY

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Yates 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 Yates County, NY?

Yates County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yates County, NY?

Yates County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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