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When to plant Celery in St. Joseph County, MI

For St. Joseph County, gardeners: plant Celery April 14 through May 5 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from August 7 to August 21 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in St. Joseph County, MI

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.

St. Joseph County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, St. Joseph County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

St. Joseph County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

St. Joseph County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Timeline — St. Joseph County, MI

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 15
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 Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

171 days in St. Joseph County

Growing Tips for St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County, MI?

St. Joseph County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Joseph County, MI?

St. Joseph County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Celery in St. Joseph County, MI?

In St. Joseph County, MI, plant Celery after the last frost (around April 28) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is St. Joseph County, MI for Celery?

St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in St. Joseph County's temperate climate. St. Joseph County averages a 171-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 28 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your St. Joseph County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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