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When to Plant Celery in Sutton 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.

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,068 feet, Sutton County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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.

Sutton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Sutton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,573 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Celery needs ~2,725 GDD — county provides 6,185 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Sutton County, TX

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

227 days

Growing Tips for Sutton 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 Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutton County, TX?

Sutton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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