Blog

When to Plant Celery in Cattaraugus County, NY

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.

Cattaraugus County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 486 feet, Cattaraugus County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.

Cattaraugus County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
133 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Cattaraugus County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celery

Celery needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celery Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celery Planting Timeline — Cattaraugus County, NY

Celery Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest August 14 Aug 14 – Oct 9
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 – Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors
July Fall Sowing
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

133 days in Cattaraugus County

Growing Tips for Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus County, NY?

Cattaraugus County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Celery planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cattaraugus County, NY?

Cattaraugus County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Cattaraugus County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cattaraugus County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cattaraugus County, NY. 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.