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When to plant Celery in Cass County, IL

Plant Celery in Cass County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 1. Continue planting through April 22 for the spring crop. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Cass 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.

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 703 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

Cass County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Timeline — Cass County, IL

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Sep 2
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Cass 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 Cass County, IL?

Cass County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, IL?

Cass County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Celery in Cass County, IL?

In Cass County, IL, plant Celery after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cass County, IL for Celery?

Cass County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Cass County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Cass County's temperate climate. Cass County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 6a). 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 Cass County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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