Blog

When to plant Celosia in Fulton County County,

Aim to plant Celosia in Fulton County County on or after March 16; the window stays open through April 6. Fulton County County's 228-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession.

When to Plant Celosia in Fulton County, GA

Fulton County, Georgia Zone 8a June

Your June gardening checklist

Your garden in Fulton County, Georgia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Collect celosia at their peak

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: celosia

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 457 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°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
Fulton County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 10 🌸 Bloom: May 12 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 16 🌸 Bloom: May 18 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 4 🌸 Bloom: Jun 6 – Oct 31

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 Fulton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Celosia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Celosia prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

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 228-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fulton 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 ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Fulton County, GA

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Bloom May 18 May 18 – Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

228 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Fulton County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after March 23 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Fulton County's clay soil (26% 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 Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

When should I plant Celosia in Fulton County County, ?

In Fulton County County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around March 23) and before the first frost (around November 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fulton County County, for Celosia?

Fulton 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 Fulton County County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Fulton County County's temperate climate. Fulton County County averages a 228-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 23 and first frost around November 6.

🌱

Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fulton 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 Fulton County, GA. 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.