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When to Plant Celery in Benson County, ND

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.

Benson County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 869 feet, Benson County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

Benson County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Benson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 558 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~925 GDD — county provides 1,267 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Benson County, ND

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 16

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 โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August 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 3b

Growing Season

137 days

Growing Tips for Benson 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 Benson County, ND?

Benson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benson County, ND?

Benson County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benson County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Benson County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.