When to plant celery in Austin, Texas

March 10 – March 24

Transplant outdoors · typical Austin year

Climate basis: NOAA station Austin 6s, TX (USC00410431), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Austin (ZCTA 78701 centroid), elevation 570 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant celery outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 10). One year in ten still freezes after March 31.

Last spring freezeMarch 101-in-10 after Mar 31
First fall freezeNovember 171-in-10 before Nov 1
Frost-free season252 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Feb 28Dec 1kills even hardy greens
USDA zone9a20 to 25°F winter low not frost timing

The Austin year

Start seeds indoorsDec 16 – Dec 30
Transplant outdoorsMar 10 – Mar 24
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 31
Celery in Austin · freeze context from Austin 6s, TX, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Dec 16 – Dec 30

Sow 10–12 weeks before the set-out window opens (UNH: time from seed to transplant 10–12 weeks). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 10). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 10 – Mar 24

UNH: set out after the last frost. Purdue's semi-hardy class allows 2–4 weeks before; the later UNH rule is used (celery is easily vernalized by cold spells). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 10). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: A long, steady season (about 100–120 days from transplant; Penn State lists 120).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (2)

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