Zone 5b covers 25 days of last-frost dates. We measured Davenport, IA at Apr 16 and Idaho Falls, ID at May 11. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 5b
Zone 5b's last spring frost averages Apr 28 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 177 frost-free days. Celery tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 10 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 9 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does celery take to grow in zone 5b?
Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 5b that means setting plants out around Apr 14 and first picking around Jul 23.
Will celery survive frost in zone 5b?
Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).
Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 5b?
Yes — in zone 5b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 9 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full celery growing guide →