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When to plant Celosia in Gogebic County, MI

Gogebic County's short 126-day growing season means one Celosia planting between June 5 and June 26. No fall crop in Zone 4b.

When to Plant Celosia in Gogebic County, MI

Gogebic County, Michigan Zone 4b June

Your June planting checklist for Gogebic County, Michigan

A quick June briefing for Gogebic County, Michigan gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 22
Avg. first frost September 25
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Set out celosia seedlings

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: celosia

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

  3. Get celosia seeds going inside

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

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Celosia (Celosia argentea) encompasses the vivid cockscomb (cristata) and feathery plumed (plumosa) types that explode with color in summer heat. Drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, they thrive in the hottest parts of the season and produce long-lasting blooms both in the garden and as cut or dried flowers. A reliable filler in sunny annual beds.

Gogebic County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 126 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Gogebic County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celosia to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Gogebic County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
126 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
126 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Gogebic County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: Jun 1 🌸 Bloom: Aug 3 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: Jun 5 🌸 Bloom: Aug 7 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 20 🌸 Bloom: Aug 22 – Nov 7

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 Gogebic County

How your county's soil matches Celosia's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–6.9) is within Celosia's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Gogebic County is excellent for Celosia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Celosia will thrive.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

2
successive plantings in your 126-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 27 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Gogebic County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celosia 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.

Celosia needs ~919 GDD — county provides 1,543 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Gogebic County, MI

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 19
Direct Sow June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 26
Bloom August 7 Aug 7 – Oct 23

Plant 0.1" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

126 days in Gogebic County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Gogebic County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after May 22 in Gogebic County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after soil warms above 60°F. Does not transplant well from large pots — sow in small cells or direct-sow. Needs full sun and warm soil; cold stress causes stunting. Pinch first bloom to encourage branching. Water at the base; wet foliage encourages fungal issues. Excellent dried flower — harvest before seeds set for the best color retention.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Gogebic County, MI?

Gogebic County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gogebic County, MI?

Gogebic County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 25.

When should I plant Celosia in Gogebic County, MI?

In Gogebic County, MI, plant Celosia after the last frost (around May 22) and before the first frost (around September 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Gogebic County, MI for Celosia?

Gogebic County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Celosia grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celosia grow in Gogebic County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Gogebic County's temperate climate. Gogebic County averages a 126-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 22 and first frost around September 25.

🌱

Your Gogebic County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gogebic County (Zone 4b). 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 Gogebic County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.