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When to plant Celery in Jackson County, CO

In Jackson County, plant Celery in spring between June 6 and June 27, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Jackson County's last frost averages June 13, so be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. For a fall crop, sow between June 12 and June 26 — roughly 80–120 days before the first frost on September 4.

When to Plant Celery in Jackson County, CO

Celery
Jackson County, Colorado Zone 4b June

Your June planting checklist for Jackson County, Colorado

Your Jackson County, Colorado garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost June 13
Avg. first frost September 4
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Get celery in the ground

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: celery

    Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.

  3. Get celery in for a late-season harvest

    Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.

Get ahead of July
  • Starting indoors: celery

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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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 4b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 26
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 31
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 14 Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Nov 12

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.1) is more alkaline than Celery prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celery.

How to Plant Celery

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Celery Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 215 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 5.6" 1.7" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 5.6" 1.7" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 5.6" 2.5" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 5.6" 1.5" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Jackson 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 ~1,000 GDD — county provides 830 GDD May not mature

Celery Planting Timeline — Jackson County, CO

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 – Jun 27
Direct Sow June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 27
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 – Oct 31
Fall Sowing June 12 Jun 12 – Jun 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.3"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

83 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Celery in Jackson County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after June 13 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Jackson County is tight for Celery (80.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Celery in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Jackson County receives only 21" of rain annually. Celery needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

When should I plant Celery in Jackson County, CO?

In Jackson County, CO, plant Celery after the last frost (around June 13) and before the first frost (around September 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, CO for Celery?

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 83-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 13 and first frost around September 4.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 4b). 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 Jackson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.