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When to Plant Celery in Westmoreland 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.

Westmoreland County, Virginia 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 873 feet, Westmoreland County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

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

Westmoreland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
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 (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,129 gal / 100 sq ft
Celery needs ~1,900 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline โ€” Westmoreland County, VA

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 Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, VA?

Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, VA?

Westmoreland County, Virginia 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 Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.