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When to Plant Celery in Jim Hogg 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.

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 4,270 feet, Jim Hogg County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Celery may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Jim Hogg County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5

Jim Hogg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 29 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,691 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~2,200 GDD — county provides 6,446 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Jim Hogg County, TX

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 16
Fall Sowing October 10 Oct 10 โ€“ Oct 24
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jul 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

292 days

Growing Tips for Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jim Hogg County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Jim Hogg County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.