When to plant celery in zone 9b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

NOVDECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Dec 7 · Transplant Feb 1 · First harvest May 12 · Wrap by Jun 9

Last spring frostFeb 15

Start seeds indoorsDec 7

Transplant outFeb 1

First harvestMay 12

Last harvestJun 9

Fall succession sowAug 27

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 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 27 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 9b that means setting plants out around Feb 1 and first picking around May 12.

Will celery survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

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

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 27 for a second harvest before frost.

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