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When to Plant Celery in Moore County, TN

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.

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 1,271 feet, Moore County receives approximately 42.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Moore County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Moore County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

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.

Soil Compatibility in Moore County

How your county's soil matches Celery's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“7.0) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Moore County is excellent for Celery โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Celery.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celery.

How to Plant Celery

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celery

2
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,600 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Moore County, TN

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

197 days in Moore County

Growing Tips for Celery in Moore County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 10 in Moore County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Celery in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Moore County, TN?

Moore County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Moore County, TN?

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Moore County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Moore County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.