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When to Plant Celery in Nottoway County, VA

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.

Nottoway County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Nottoway County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Nottoway County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Nottoway County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7

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 Nottoway County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.5) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Nottoway County is excellent for Celery โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help 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 215-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 779 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 3,923 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Nottoway County, VA

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.3"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

215 days in Nottoway County

Growing Tips for Celery in Nottoway County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 02 in Nottoway County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Nottoway County, VA?

Nottoway County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nottoway County, VA?

Nottoway County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nottoway County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Nottoway County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.