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
  • 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 New Zealand | for all countries
26 Dec 24, Jessica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, beginner to gardening here! Why do some of the vegetables not have the "plant in garden" option? E.g. capsicum. Does this mean you can't plant them in the garden?
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26 Dec 24, Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, Some plants, like capsicum, are rather delicate in the seedling stage. We suggest starting them in seed trays or pots, so that they can be in a sheltered spot until large enough to survive temperature changes. About 8 to 10 cm, or more. Then they can be planted out into the garden.
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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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21 Sep 23, Val (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
What are the best celery variety to grow in 4b zone ?
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28 Sep 23, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
You can grow whatever you like!
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07 Aug 23, Margaret Porkolab (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Could you please show me what you mean in planting and how to rap. My aunt used milk cartons but i was around four yrs old then. My job was to hand her the carton. Thank you.
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20 Aug 23, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Put something up the side of the plants to stop the sunlight turning the outside leaves green and bitter. You could google it.
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28 May 23, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing celery for a few years. I always blanch the Celery for about 2 weeks using a piece of downpipe. When I harvest the Celery it looks terrific. Store it in the crisper in a plastic bag with a paper towel. After about 2 weeks it turns all mushy. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?. Thanks in advance. Pete.
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21 Aug 24, Deb (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Pete, at what point in the growing time did you use the pipe please? It sounds like a great idea. Deb
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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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