Growing Celery

Apium sp. : Apiaceae / the umbelliferae family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T T            

(Best months for growing Celery in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 12°C and 21°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 17-18 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Not applicable as celery needs to be close together to encourage blanching.
  • Avoid growing close to: Sweetcorn

Your comments and tips

17 Mar 13, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, it is normal for celery to grow slow especially if you have had alot of rain ? :)
30 Jan 12, PK (Australia - temperate climate)
Gidday, I just moved 2 S'th Adelaide & have a V-small B-yd. I,ve had 2 raise my 5 x 10 plot by a foot or 2. But the 40+ day's r hell, so i,ve covered the area with white mesh & it has improved the celery that was not looking healthy at all. Most thing i have noticed is the water factor, twice a day is ex 4 them, a good watering is OK i have found. so i hope 2 eat them real soon in my slow cooking stew's lol.
10 Mar 12, Ken (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Any tips on growing Chinese Celery from seed?
23 Aug 12, Wilma Brown (USA - Zone 5b climate)
T.his years celery was too large, and not as tender.I looked but could not find the light color I like.
30 Jan 13, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi I stay in the Free State and have a tunnel with twenty per cent shade net, any suggestions or comments on planting in February Frances
17 Mar 13, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)
I need help on how to grow corn, everytime i plant seeds they always seem to shoot up then die a few days later. What am i doing wrong ?
17 Nov 13, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
I have more luck starting them off in seed trays then transplant when 10cms high.
30 Dec 13, lj (Australia - temperate climate)
Celery is a traditionally cool weather crop (if you are after the long white crunchy stems) but they do have a high demand for regular watering and fertilizing.. If they are grown too slowly the stems become bitter (which is what I think you are meaning by salty). If you want crunchy, sweet stems you do need to keep up the water and nutrients (complete type but high in nitrogen and potash). You can also grow them right thru the warmer months if you ratoon the plants when you harvest. i.e. cut off all the leaves and use them however you like. The plants will re-grow but remember to keep up the water and nutrients. I have grown celery for leave (not the stems ) right thru a warm summer and ratooned them 3-4 times with no problems. You will find you won’t get the long crunchy stems in the warmer periods but the small crunchy stems and sweet leaves are still great in cooking. So in answer to your question, along as they are growing well and the leaves/stems are sweet, then keep eating them. Cheers John.
08 Nov 14, Karen Stock (Australia - temperate climate)
Now I am really confused. One comment says celery is really a cool climate veg,and I have just harvested mine. But above it is telling us to plant now meaning that it is growing over the heat of summer! I would love some more info about wrapping the celery, timing etc. I am aiming at getting crunchy green sweet stalks ( like in the shops) for juicing. All ideas appreciated.
20 Mar 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Check what zone people are commenting on in regard to planting. In the temperate zone we generally grow from Feb to Oct for most veggies. The cooler months. In the south they might grow stuff in the summer.
Showing 21 - 30 of 113 comments

Nicola, Celery is a traditionally cool weather crop (if you are after the long white crunchy stems) but they do have a high demand for regular watering and fertilizing.. If they are grown too slowly the stems become bitter (which is what I think you are meaning by salty). If you want crunchy, sweet stems you do need to keep up the water and nutrients (complete type but high in nitrogen and potash). You can also grow them right thru the warmer months if you ratoon the plants when you harvest. i.e. cut off all the leaves and use them however you like. The plants will re-grow but remember to keep up the water and nutrients. I have grown celery for leave (not the stems ) right thru a warm summer and ratooned them 3-4 times with no problems. You will find you won’t get the long crunchy stems in the warmer periods but the small crunchy stems and sweet leaves are still great in cooking. So in answer to your question, along as they are growing well and the leaves/stems are sweet, then keep eating them. Cheers John.

- John Bee

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