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When to Plant Celery in Lamar 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.

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 95 feet, Lamar County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Lamar County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Lamar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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 Lamar County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.8) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lamar County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Celery will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

3
successive plantings in your 245-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 599 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,471 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Lamar County, TX

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Sep 20
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.3"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

245 days in Lamar County

Growing Tips for Celery in Lamar County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after March 15 in Lamar County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Lamar County dries quickly โ€” mulch Celery with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lamar County, TX?

Lamar County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lamar County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lamar County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.