Blog

When to Plant Celosia in Grant County, OR

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.

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Grant County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celosia to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Grant County, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

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

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celosia Planting Timeline — Grant County, OR

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 – Jun 27
Direct Sow June 13 Jun 13 – Jul 4
Bloom August 15 Aug 15 – Dec 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November Bloom
December Bloom

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

96 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Grant County

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 Grant County, OR?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OR?

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 10.

🌱

Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grant County (Zone 6b). 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 Grant County, OR. 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.