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When to plant Celery in Nicollet County County,

The best window to plant Celery in Nicollet County County, is April 13–May 4, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 27; first frost October 6. A second sowing from July 28 to August 11 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celery in Nicollet County, MN

Celery
Nicollet County, Minnesota Zone 5a June

Nicollet County, Minnesota gardeners: here's your June plan

Here's what deserves your attention in Nicollet County, Minnesota this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 27
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: celery

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: celery
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Nicollet County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,356 feet, Nicollet County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celery to ensure they mature before fall.

Nicollet County, MN (Zone 5a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Nicollet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Celery Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2

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 Nicollet County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.3) overlaps with Celery's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Celery

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celery

2
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 08 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 28.

Celery Water Budget

Plant needs
1.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 899 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.6" 2.8" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 5.6" 3.5" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.6" 3.3" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.6" 3.8" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.6" 3" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.6" 2.6" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 5.6" 2.4" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Nicollet 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 ~1,150 GDD — county provides 1,863 GDD Excellent fit

Celery Planting Timeline — Nicollet County, MN

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 14
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 – Aug 11

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Nicollet County

Growing Tips for Celery in Nicollet County

Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 27 in Nicollet 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 Nicollet County, MN?

Nicollet County is in Zone 5a 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 Nicollet County, MN?

Nicollet County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Celery in Nicollet County County, ?

In Nicollet County County, , plant Celery after the last frost (around April 27) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nicollet County County, for Celery?

Nicollet County County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Celery grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celery grow in Nicollet County County's climate?

Yes — Celery grows well in Nicollet County County's temperate climate. Nicollet County County averages a 162-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 27 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Nicollet County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nicollet County (Zone 5a). 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 Nicollet County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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