When to Plant Celery in Ackerly, TX
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.
Ackerly, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.
At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Celery may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celery will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.
Ackerly Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.8-8.4
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 | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 9.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Dawson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Celery Planting Timeline — Ackerly, TX
Celery Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Direct Sow | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 |
| Harvest | June 24 | Jun 24 – Aug 19 |
| Fall Sowing | September 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| 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 8a
📆 Growing Season
223 days in Dawson County
Growing Tips for Ackerly
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Celery in Other Locations
Your Dawson County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Dawson County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.