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When to Plant Celery in Hockley 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.

Hockley County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 2,026 feet, Hockley County receives approximately 52.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Celery may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Hockley County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Hockley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,018 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Celery needs ~2,275 GDD — county provides 4,777 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Hockley County, TX

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 24

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for Hockley 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 Hockley County, TX?

Hockley County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hockley County, TX?

Hockley County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hockley 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 Hockley County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.