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When to Plant Celosia in Roberts County, TX

Roberts County, Texas Zone 7a June

Your June game plan for Roberts County, Texas

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Roberts County, Texas.

Avg. last frost April 17
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Bring in the celosia

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: celosia

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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.

Roberts County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,068 feet, Roberts County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Celosia may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celosia will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celosia root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Roberts County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24
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Roberts County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🌸 Bloom: Jun 13 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jul 4 – Oct 31

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 Roberts County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5–8.8) is more alkaline than Celosia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Roberts County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Celosia will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Celosia.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

3
successive plantings in your 190-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 1.1" 1.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celosia 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.

Celosia needs ~1,762 GDD — county provides 4,465 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Roberts County, TX

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Bloom June 19 Jun 19 – Oct 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Roberts County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Roberts County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after April 17 in Roberts County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Roberts County dries quickly — mulch Celosia with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 98°F in Roberts County, provide afternoon shade for Celosia and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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 Roberts County, TX?

Roberts County is in Zone 7a 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 Roberts County, TX?

Roberts County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Roberts County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Roberts County (Zone 7a). 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 Roberts County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.