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When to Plant Celosia in Schuylkill County, PA

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.

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 253 feet, Schuylkill County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Schuylkill County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Schuylkill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Timeline — Schuylkill County, PA

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Bloom June 26 Jun 26 – Oct 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

193 days in Schuylkill County

Growing Tips for Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill County, PA?

Schuylkill County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schuylkill County, PA?

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Your Schuylkill County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Schuylkill 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.

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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 Schuylkill County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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