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When to Plant Celery in McCracken County, KY

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.

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 1,445 feet, McCracken County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86Β°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

McCracken County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
214 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

McCracken County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celery

Celery needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celery Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" πŸ’§ Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.7" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov β€” 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec β€” 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in McCracken County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celery Planting Timeline β€” McCracken County, KY

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 – Aug 17
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 – Sep 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

πŸ’§ Water

High β€” keep soil consistently moist

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

80–120 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

πŸ“† Growing Season

214 days in McCracken County

Growing Tips for McCracken 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 McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McCracken County, KY?

McCracken County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 30.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help McCracken County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for McCracken County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.