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

29 Nov 19, Mel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I use stalks as needed from the time they are as thick as your pointy finger ... they just seem to keep growing back the more I cut
14 Aug 19, craig (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
what is meant by lifting celery after 11 weeks (Gardenate ed.- i have revised that and added 'to use' after lifting )
14 Aug 19, Gary (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What are the best pkt seeds to buy can't seem to find a reliable one Thanks in Advance.
15 Aug 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Trying to germinate celery seeds needs a lot of care and time. You need to have a very fine seed raising mixture. Use a sprayer to wet the soil not a hose. You need to plant the right time. The seed is small and takes 2-3 weeks to germinate, so means you need to have the soil moist but not wet for all that time. Unless you are prepared to do this then you will have failure. I would normally suggest buying seedlings from Bunnings/nursery but for 6 years I bought celery and end up with some other thing different - Italian parsley??? so I don't try any more.
06 Nov 19, Dale (Australia - temperate climate)
Sure celery takes time and patience. I have now some 30 seedlings about 3 weeks from planting out so they will be strong enough and will cover some stalks but will plant close together. But when they are ready you appreciate the effort because the flavour is divine.
27 Jun 19, Ghulam (New Zealand - temperate climate)
hi l am living in canterbury now can i plant celery?
28 Jun 19, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Look up what climate zone you are and check when to plant.
22 Jun 19, neil waterman (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
can I grow celery in nfld canada
02 Apr 19, gordon mott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what time of year do i grow celery in the grafton district?.
16 Jan 19, Tonimarie Heron (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. I would be really grateful if yo had any advice on to grow celery all year round. It sells all year in the super market, so I'm assuming it is possible? Many thanks, Toni.
Showing 41 - 50 of 114 comments

Just a query. How is celery grown in NZ. ? When we lived in UK (many years ago) we used to dig a trench and when the celery was showing above the ground it was wrapped in news paper up to the leaves and then increased as the plant grew. This meant that most of the stalks were white and crisp but we find that the NZ celery is stringy and dark green on the outside . Is this to do with the climate or method of cultivating ? Also my father used to empty the soot from the chimney round the plants at a short distance away from the roots. (I know this would not be an option here ) !!!! but maybe there is an alternative.

- Eileen Stowers

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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