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When to plant Celery in Goodhue County, MN

In Goodhue County, plant Celery in spring between April 20 and May 11, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Goodhue County's last frost averages April 27, so be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. For a fall crop, sow between July 16 and July 30 — roughly 80–120 days before the first frost on October 8.

When to Plant Celery in Goodhue County, MN

Celery
Goodhue County, Minnesota Zone 4b July

July in Goodhue County, Minnesota — your action list

July is a pivotal month for Goodhue County, Minnesota gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 27
Avg. first frost October 8
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Start harvesting celery

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

  2. Direct-sow celery for cool weather

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
  • First harvests: celery

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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.

Goodhue County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 1,136 feet, Goodhue County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

Goodhue County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Goodhue County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 3

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 Goodhue County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–6.7) is within Celery's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Celery.

How to Plant Celery

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celery

2
successive plantings in your 164-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 10 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 16.

Celery Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 627 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.6" 3.1" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
May 5.6" 4" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.6" 4.3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.6" 4" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.6" 3.5" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.6" 3" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.6" 2.6" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Goodhue County). 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 needs ~1,225 GDD — county provides 2,009 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline — Goodhue County, MN

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 14
Fall Sowing July 16 Jul 16 – Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

164 days in Goodhue County

Growing Tips for Celery in Goodhue County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 27 in Goodhue County 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

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Goodhue County, MN?

Goodhue County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Goodhue County, MN?

Goodhue County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 8.

When should I plant Celery in Goodhue County, MN?

In Goodhue County, MN, plant Celery after the last frost (around April 27) and before the first frost (around October 8). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Goodhue County, MN for Celery?

Goodhue County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Goodhue County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Goodhue County's temperate climate. Goodhue County averages a 164-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 27 and first frost around October 8.

🌱

Your Goodhue County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Goodhue 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 Goodhue County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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