When to plant celery in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Dec 20 · Transplant Feb 14 · First harvest May 25 · Wrap by Jun 22

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsDec 20

Transplant outFeb 14

First harvestMay 25

Last harvestJun 22

Fall succession sowAug 17

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 Aug 17 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does celery take to grow in zone 9a?

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 9a that means setting plants out around Feb 14 and first picking around May 25.

Will celery survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 17 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full celery growing guide →