When to Plant Celery in Dhs, VA
What to do in June
Here's what deserves your attention in Loudoun County, Virginia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
Get ahead of July
- First harvests: 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.
Dhs, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.
At an elevation of 857 feet, Loudoun County receives approximately 45.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Celery during the growing season.
Dhs Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Celery Planting Risk Windows
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 Dhs
How your county's soil matches Celery's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Celery prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Loudoun County is excellent for Celery — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Celery.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Celery.
How to Plant Celery
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Celery
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
Celery Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Celery
Celery needs approximately 1.3 inches of water per week (5.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Celery Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 5.6" | 4" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 5.6" | 3.2" | 2.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 5.6" | 4.7" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 5.6" | 4.4" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 5.6" | 4.6" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 5.6" | 3.3" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 5.6" | 3.4" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Loudoun County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Celery 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.
Celery Planting Timeline — Dhs, VA
Celery Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | July 11 | Jul 11 – Sep 5 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
80–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
184 days in Loudoun County
Growing Tips for Celery in Dhs
Direct sow Celery outdoors after April 18 in Loudoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Celery in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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 Loudoun County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Loudoun 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.