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

Your comments and tips

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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Look for aphids. If the leaves become mottled with rust coloured spots it's probably bacterial blight.
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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
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Showing 11 - 12 of 12 comments
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Celery is more a cool weather crop. If you built a shade house it might work. Say with 30 or 50% shade cloth. Some plants need cool weather to grow but still need sun light also.. Also the weather conditions are important. Like heat waves and very heavy rain down pours. We have had 5" of rain at the start of Oct and then another 12" last week. 17" when the average is 2.5" for Oct. You can only try it to find out.

- Mike

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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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