Zone 6b covers 17 days of last-frost dates. We measured Springfield, MO at Apr 6 and Detroit, MI at Apr 23. 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 6b
Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 19 and first fall frost Nov 6 — about 201 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 24 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does celery take to grow in zone 6b?
Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 6b that means setting plants out around Apr 5 and first picking around Jul 14.
Will celery survive frost in zone 6b?
Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 19) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 6).
Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 6b?
Yes — in zone 6b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 24 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full celery growing guide →