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When to plant Celery in Imperial County, CA

Imperial County's spring Celery window runs January 8 through January 29. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting. A second sowing from October 25 to November 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Imperial County, CA

Celery

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.

Imperial County, California is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 29 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 181 feet, Imperial County receives approximately 16.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Celery successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Imperial County, CA (Zone 10a) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 29
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Imperial County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Timeline — Imperial County, CA

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 15
Transplant Outdoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 – Jun 18
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Imperial County

Growing Tips for Imperial 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Imperial County, CA?

Imperial County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 29. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Imperial County, CA?

Imperial County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 29 and first fall frost is December 20.

When should I plant Celery in Imperial County, CA?

In Imperial County, CA, plant Celery after the last frost (around January 29) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Imperial County, CA for Celery?

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

Can Celery grow in Imperial County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Imperial County's temperate climate. Imperial County averages a 326-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 29 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Imperial County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Imperial County (Zone 10a). 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 Imperial County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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