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 54°F and 70°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 12 inches 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
  • Celery seedlings

Most varieties improve with blanching but there are some self-blanching varieties available.

To Blanch: plant in trenches 15 - 20 cm (6 - 8 in) deep and 20 cm (8 in) apart. Leave about 40 cm (17 in) between rows. Fill the trenches gradually and keep well watered as the plants grow. The plants can be lifted to use, as needed after about 11 weeks.

Alternatively wrap the plants in sleeves of paper or black plastic.

Celery needs moist fertile soil.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Celery

Chop and use raw in salad or braised in hot dishes.

Your comments and tips

01 Feb 09, amy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have bought celery ,cut off the bottom and planted that. small ,thin stalks will grow but thats about it.does anyone have comments or suggestions ?
05 Mar 09, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted celery in October last year - it grew beautifully and nothing has damaged it, but the celery hasn't developed to the size I expected and it doesn't taste good. It is the right height but the stems are very thin. Can anyone offer suggestions for next time?
10 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Celery needs very regular watering, and regular light fertilising to keep it growing fast. I've heard that growing too slowly causes the thin stems and not so nice flavour.
18 Jun 09, Sue (Australia - tropical climate)
My 1st ever crop growing well but very green not mature yet how does it go white is there somthing i have to do like you do with leeks.
21 Jun 09, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
You need to 'blanch' the stems if you want them to go pale Sue. I never bother but you can use newspaper wrapped around them or old milk cartons for example. I've never done it but one ways it to wrap them in newspaper and mound a bit of soil around them.
05 Jul 09, Rebecca (Australia - temperate climate)
Anyone know how to cut celery?? i was told to pull the stalks off as needed but have read to pull the whole plant out?
30 Aug 09, Sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
A good tip for growing celery is use put a milk carton (the cardboard 1lt ones) around each celery and it will keep it growing up straight and high.
02 Sep 09, Malcolm in Melton, Vic (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I sowed celery seeds in 'crib' early August, transplanting today, even though its still cool.
04 Oct 09, Jeremy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I bought celery seeds from Bunnings, and they were highlighted green. Wondering if they are normally like that or they have been treated, the packet didn't indicate this. Trying to grow organic veges.
20 Oct 09, Derek (Australia - temperate climate)
Jeremy, the seeds are most likely coated with the fungicide 'Thiram', there may be a pink stamp on the packet stating this. Google Thiram MSDS for further info on the chemical, I would suggest wearing gloves and washing your hands after handling the seeds. Any bright green, pink or orange seeds are likely to be treated.
Showing 1 - 10 of 113 comments

Germinating celery seed, growing from seed this autumn. Soaked the seed overnight and then spread on damp paper towel and place in seed raising mix, covering very lightly with the mix. Result, I used the entire packet of seed and I think they all germinated. 4 weeks on I have 36 of the strongest seedlings growing on in pots.

- beverley Mcdowell

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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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