Blog

When to plant Celery in Hampton, AR

Celery planted in Hampton between March 8 and March 29 matures in 80–120 days — well before the November 4 first frost. A second sowing from August 26 to September 9 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Hampton, AR

Celery
Calhoun County, Arkansas Zone 8a August

August in Calhoun County, Arkansas — your action list

A quick August briefing for Calhoun County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 92°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.2 hrs
  1. Bring in the celery

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

  2. Plant your fall garden: celery

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Hampton, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 1,246 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 52.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Hampton, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Hampton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 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 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 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 Hampton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.9) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Calhoun County is excellent for Celery — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 227-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 26.

Celery Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 649 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Celery

Celery needs approximately 1.3 inches of water per week (5.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celery Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.6" 5.3" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 5.6" 3.8" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 5.6" 4.4" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.6" 4.1" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.6" 5.2" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.6" 5.5" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.6" 4.1" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.6" 3.5" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 5.6" 3.9" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celery 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.

Celery needs ~2,050 GDD — county provides 4,653 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline — Hampton, AR

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 9
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 – Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.3"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Celery in Hampton

Direct sow Celery outdoors after March 22 in Calhoun 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Celery in Hampton, AR?

In Hampton, AR, plant Celery after the last frost (around March 22) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hampton, AR for Celery?

Hampton sits in USDA Zone 8a. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Hampton's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Hampton's temperate climate. Hampton averages a 227-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 22 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your Calhoun County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Calhoun 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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