When to Plant Celery in Caddo Parish, LA
May in Caddo Parish, Louisiana — your action list
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: 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.
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.
At an elevation of 446 feet, Caddo Parish receives approximately 49 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.
Caddo Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Caddo Parish
How your county's soil matches Celery's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Caddo Parish 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
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Celery
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 5.6" | 5" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 5.6" | 3.9" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 5.6" | 3.8" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 5.6" | 4.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 5.6" | 5.5" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 5.6" | 4.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 5.6" | 4" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 5.6" | 2.9" | 2.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 5.6" | 3.7" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Caddo Parish). 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 Planting Timeline — Caddo Parish, LA
Celery Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Direct Sow | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 20 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Fall Sowing | September 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.3"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
246 days in Caddo Parish
Growing Tips for Celery in Caddo Parish
Direct sow Celery outdoors after March 13 in Caddo Parish 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.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Celery in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celery in Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Caddo Parish, LA?
Caddo Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.
Your Caddo Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Caddo Parish (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.