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When to plant Celery in Nez Perce County, ID

For Celery in Nez Perce County, the safe spring window opens around April 28 and closes around May 19. Last expected frost is May 12, first fall frost September 26, giving a 137-day growing season. A second sowing from July 18 to August 1 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Nez Perce County, ID

Celery
Nez Perce County, Idaho Zone 7b August

Your August game plan for Nez Perce County, Idaho

Here's what deserves your attention in Nez Perce County, Idaho this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost September 26
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Basket week: celery

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Coming up in September — start thinking about
  • First harvests: 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.

Nez Perce County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 4,819 feet, Nez Perce County receives approximately 16.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°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.

Nez Perce County, ID (Zone 7b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Nez Perce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 24

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 Nez Perce County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.0) is more alkaline than Celery prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Nez Perce 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.

Celery Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,153 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 5.6" 1.8" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 5.6" 1.2" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 5.6" 1.5" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 5.6" 1.7" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 5.6" 1.2" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Nez Perce 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 ~1,750 GDD — county provides 2,397 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline — Nez Perce County, ID

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 – May 26
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 – Sep 29
Fall Sowing July 18 Jul 18 – Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.3"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Nez Perce County

Growing Tips for Celery in Nez Perce County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after May 12 in Nez Perce 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.

Nez Perce County receives only 17" 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 Nez Perce County, ID?

Nez Perce County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nez Perce County, ID?

Nez Perce County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 26.

When should I plant Celery in Nez Perce County, ID?

In Nez Perce County, ID, plant Celery after the last frost (around May 12) and before the first frost (around September 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nez Perce County, ID for Celery?

Nez Perce County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Nez Perce County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Nez Perce County's temperate climate. Nez Perce County averages a 137-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 12 and first frost around September 26.

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Your Nez Perce County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nez Perce County (Zone 7b). 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 Nez Perce County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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