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When to Plant Celery in Tensas Parish, LA

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.

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 409 feet, Tensas Parish receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90Β°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celery root diseases.

Tensas Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Tensas Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

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€” 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb β€” 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 6.2" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.9" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec β€” 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celery Planting Timeline β€” Tensas Parish, LA

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 – Jul 27
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January β€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April β€”
May β€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August β€”
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 8b

πŸ“† Growing Season

248 days in Tensas Parish

Growing Tips for Tensas Parish

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 Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tensas Parish, LA?

Tensas Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Tensas Parish gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Tensas Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.