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When to Plant Celery in Deschutes County, OR

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.

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Deschutes County, OR (Zone 6a) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

Deschutes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Sep 7 – Nov 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Nov 13

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
2.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,075 GDD — county provides 967 GDD May not mature

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Deschutes County, OR

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Transplant Outdoors June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jun 29
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22
Fall Sowing July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Jul 19
Harvest September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Nov 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

90 days

Growing Tips for Deschutes 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 Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 15. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deschutes County, OR?

Deschutes County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 15 and first fall frost is September 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Deschutes County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Deschutes County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.