When to plant celery in Louisville, Kentucky

March 31 – April 14

Transplant outdoors · typical Louisville year

Climate basis: NOAA station Louisville Mcalpine, KY (USC00154955), 3 mi (4 km) from downtown Louisville (ZCTA 40202 centroid), elevation 440 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 31). One year in ten still freezes after April 14.

Last spring freezeMarch 311-in-10 after Apr 14

First fall freezeNovember 91-in-10 before Oct 31

Frost-free season≈ 225 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 18 – Nov 20kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Louisville year

Start seeds indoorsJan 6 – Jan 20

Transplant outdoorsMar 31 – Apr 14

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 14

Celery in Louisville · freeze context from Louisville Mcalpine, KY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 6 – Jan 20

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 31). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 31 – Apr 14

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 31). 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)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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