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When to plant Celery in Alexander County, IL

Aim to plant Celery in Alexander County on or after March 27; the window stays open through April 17. Alexander County's 194-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Alexander County, IL

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.

Alexander County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,260 feet, Alexander County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Alexander County, IL (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Alexander County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Timeline — Alexander County, IL

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 28
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Alexander County

Growing Tips for Alexander 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 Alexander County, IL?

Alexander County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Alexander County, IL?

Alexander County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Celery in Alexander County, IL?

In Alexander County, IL, plant Celery after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Alexander County, IL for Celery?

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

Can Celery grow in Alexander County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Alexander County's temperate climate. Alexander County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Alexander County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Alexander County (Zone 7a). 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 Alexander County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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