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When to plant Celosia in Wayne County County,

In Wayne County County, plant Celosia in spring between February 15 and March 8, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Wayne County County's last frost averages March 1, so aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting. For a fall crop, sow between and — roughly 90 days before the first frost on November 24.

When to Plant Celosia in Wayne County, GA

Wayne County, Georgia Zone 9a June

Wayne County, Georgia gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost March 1
Avg. first frost November 24
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the celosia

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

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  • 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.

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 473 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celosia will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celosia root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Wayne County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 24
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Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Jan 31 🌸 Bloom: Apr 4 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Feb 15 🌸 Bloom: Apr 19 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 10 🌸 Bloom: May 12 – Nov 17

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 Wayne County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.4) is more acidic than Celosia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Wayne County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Celosia will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

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 (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celosia.

How to Plant Celosia

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

Succession Planting Celosia

5
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wayne 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 4,690 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Wayne County, GA

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Direct Sow February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 8
Bloom April 19 Apr 19 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Bloom
May Bloom
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 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Wayne County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after March 01 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Wayne County dries quickly — mulch Celosia with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wayne County, GA?

Wayne County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 24.

When should I plant Celosia in Wayne County County, ?

In Wayne County County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around March 1) and before the first frost (around November 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wayne County County, for Celosia?

Wayne County County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Celosia grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celosia grow in Wayne County County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Wayne County County's temperate climate. Wayne County County averages a 268-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 1 and first frost around November 24.

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A 22-page printable planner built for Wayne County (Zone 9a). 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 Wayne County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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