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When to Plant Celery in Henderson County, TX

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.

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 290 feet, Henderson County receives approximately 72.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Celery will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Henderson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Henderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 643 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,900 GDD — county provides 4,788 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Henderson County, TX

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 16
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

252 days

Growing Tips for Henderson 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 Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henderson County, TX?

Henderson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Henderson County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Henderson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.