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
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
17 Dec 23, Rene (USA - Zone 9b climate)
It's mid December, is it too late to start celery from seed?
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18 Dec 23, (USA - Zone 9b climate)
December is the perfect time to sow seeds for celery! Best to do it in an undercover seed tray, then in February you can transplant the seedlings.
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29 Oct 21, Alan kuchas (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Would like to know everything about vegetables from seeding to harvest in my ZONE4a. This way I would know when to start seeds indoors and outdoors and best time to transplant out with any pertinent tips along the way…Thanks….AL (Gardenate says : Select USA 4a in the bar at the top of the page. Scroll through the months.)
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24 Aug 20, Jim S (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Have had cerlery growing from seed since beginning of march 2020 they are still only about 6 inches high and are just starting to look bushy and dark green ..should I move to a more shady place they have been in sun (potted) since day one full sun ......maybe morning sun then shade rest of day ?
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07 Oct 20, Sandy (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I also live in 9b. I haven’t grown it from seed but will be trying this fall and see what happens. But, I did grow it successfully from store bought celery. I chop the stalks away from the Root base and stick it directly into my raised bed and keep it moist. The leaves first appear from the center of the Root base and continue to grow from the old root. The raised bed is partially shaded and celeryready to harvest in about 3-4 months.
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25 Aug 20, Anon (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Celery take a long time to grow. After 2 months my seedlings were like 3 week old lettuce. I don't know your climate but we grow them autumn into winter. I will finish picking mine this week (last week of winter- Australia- sob-tropical climate). Maybe a bit of fertiliser to kick them along. They need sunlight. Hope they are in a decent size pot, have a big root system.
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26 Jun 20, Maria (USA - Zone 7a climate)
My celery plant has been wilting more and more. It has been raining quite a bit in the area, and I checked the dampness of the soil but the plant is still wilting more. The leaves are not yellowing but they are getting darker each day. I am unsure of how to proceed or if it will even survive. Thank you in advance.
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15 Feb 16, wayne (USA - Zone 8a climate)
depending on the authors knowledge of living for a year in each of the zones... weather has changing attitudes in each. I hope the 3200 elevation in mid california does fine. we are a vegetable growing couple, ready for new adventures. wish us luck
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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.
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10 Feb 11, Becky S.R. (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I couldn't find Central/Plains region as we live in Kansas. Is it possible to grow celery in our area?
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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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