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When to plant Celosia in Crow Wing County, MN

For Crow Wing County, gardeners: plant Celosia May 19 through June 9 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Celosia in Crow Wing County, MN

Crow Wing County, Minnesota Zone 4a June

Your June game plan for Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Your garden in Crow Wing County, Minnesota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost May 5
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Start celosia indoors

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: celosia

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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.

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 783 feet, Crow Wing County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celosia to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Crow Wing County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Crow Wing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 13 🌸 Bloom: Jul 15 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 19 🌸 Bloom: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: Jun 2 🌸 Bloom: Aug 4 – Oct 20

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 Crow Wing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Celosia's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — 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 151-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Crow Wing 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 ~638 GDD — county provides 1,283 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Crow Wing County, MN

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 – Jun 9
Bloom July 21 Jul 21 – Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Bloom
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 4a

📆 Growing Season

151 days in Crow Wing County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Crow Wing County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after May 05 in Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Celosia in Crow Wing County, MN?

In Crow Wing County, MN, plant Celosia after the last frost (around May 5) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Crow Wing County, MN for Celosia?

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

Can Celosia grow in Crow Wing County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Crow Wing County's temperate climate. Crow Wing County averages a 151-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 5 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Crow Wing County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Crow Wing County (Zone 4a). 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 Crow Wing County, MN. 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.