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When to plant Celosia in Chambers County County,

Celosia planted in Chambers County County between March 30 and April 20 matures in 90 days — well before the October 29 first frost.

When to Plant Celosia in Chambers County, AL

Chambers County, Alabama Zone 8a June

This month in Chambers County, Alabama

Each item below is timed to Chambers County, Alabama's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 29
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for celosia

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: celosia

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Celosia (Celosia argentea) encompasses the vivid cockscomb (cristata) and feathery plumed (plumosa) types that explode with color in summer heat. Drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, they thrive in the hottest parts of the season and produce long-lasting blooms both in the garden and as cut or dried flowers. A reliable filler in sunny annual beds.

Chambers County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Chambers County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Celosia, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celosia root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Chambers County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29
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Chambers County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 20 🌸 Bloom: May 22 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Mar 30 🌸 Bloom: Jun 1 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 13 🌸 Bloom: Jun 15 – Nov 9

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 Chambers County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.4) is more acidic than Celosia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Chambers County is excellent for Celosia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Celosia.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

4
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chambers County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celosia Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Celosia needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,068 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Chambers County, AL

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Bloom June 1 Jun 1 – Oct 26

Plant 0.1" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Chambers County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Chambers County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after April 06 in Chambers County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Chambers County's clay soil (29% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Celosia. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after soil warms above 60°F. Does not transplant well from large pots — sow in small cells or direct-sow. Needs full sun and warm soil; cold stress causes stunting. Pinch first bloom to encourage branching. Water at the base; wet foliage encourages fungal issues. Excellent dried flower — harvest before seeds set for the best color retention.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Chambers County, AL?

Chambers County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chambers County, AL?

Chambers County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

When should I plant Celosia in Chambers County County, ?

In Chambers County County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 29). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Chambers County County, for Celosia?

Chambers County County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Celosia grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celosia grow in Chambers County County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Chambers County County's temperate climate. Chambers County County averages a 206-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 29.

🌱

Your Chambers County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chambers County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Chambers County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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