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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

30 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub tropical Bundaberg and planted seeds in March last year. Too much chance of big rain and pests in Summer.
29 Jun 22, marco (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi i live on the gold coast Queensland .you can grow celery from the cut off base from the supermarket . i have 2 celery plants all year round .i am using my celery now in my cooking .adds a great taste .i trim as i go, leaving centre and old outer leaves on all the time .so plant now and leave in spot forever.
03 Apr 23, Sandi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am doing the same....it's amazing. I have 3 going at different stages of root growth. I'm at the point to plant them out. THIS worries me. What area of garden should I plant them?
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.)
20 Apr 21, Nicolene (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Can I sow Celery now, mid Autumn in cool Highveld of South Africa?
29 Apr 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to celery, click on your climate zone and check calendar planting times.
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 ?
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.
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.
01 Aug 20, MARIO (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi, We’re growing celery from the base of the stalks, about 1/2 cm thick, Place them in a tray with a small film of water. Leave near a sunny window for around 10 days adding a little water each day. When the stalks are about 5c. high and the roots have grown we plant as you normally would. Didn’t believe it but the stalks a re growing well. Anyone else doing this? .
Showing 21 - 30 of 114 comments

I planted some celery seedlings earlier this week, however the leaves are now starting to dry & shrivel up! Have been giving plenty of water. Have had two unseasonally warm days since planting though. Any suggestions? I am a novice gardener!

- Mel

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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. GardenGrow 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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