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

22 Jun 19, neil waterman (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate)
can I grow celery in nfld canada
02 Apr 19, gordon mott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
what time of year do i grow celery in the grafton district?.
16 Jan 19, Tonimarie Heron (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. I would be really grateful if yo had any advice on to grow celery all year round. It sells all year in the super market, so I'm assuming it is possible? Many thanks, Toni.
18 Mar 19, perry (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have had success growing celery in the shade this summer north of Auckland. I think I planted in November where the plants needed to grow tall to reach the light.
22 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Supermarkets buy from different climates etc.
21 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
No you can't.
29 Jun 18, paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i like to place 100 mil down pipe around my celery as this does two things it helps blanch and keeps the celery tight together
06 Aug 19, Shane (Australia - temperate climate)
What length do you cut the drain pipe you place around the celery
06 Nov 19, Dale (Australia - temperate climate)
450 mm exposed out of the ground will do. And don't use it until the plants are about 300 mm tall - then they will search for the sun above.
26 Oct 17, Johnson Yap , Central Phillipunes (Australia - tropical climate)
Can Celery survive in tropical area, particulary here in Central Phillipines
Showing 51 - 60 of 117 comments

There are lots of reasons why some seeds do not have the "plant in garden option -- also know as sow outdoors". It could be that the plant has a really HIGH germination temp -- so by the time the soil and air temperature was reached and sustained, there would not be much time left in the growing season: examples of high germination temps: : Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 80-90 °F (27-32 °C) , Eggplant or Aubergine (Solanum melongena) 75-90 °F (24-32 °C) and watermelon -- which in the low temps requires more days to germinate (temp needs to be sustained longer) than it does at high temps: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 70-95 °F (21-35 °C). It could also be that the plant has a high number of "days to harvest" -- that is the time it takes to grow from seedling to full grown -- so giving the plant a head start by sowing in doors in trays allows you to grow a plant that might not otherwise grow in your area . Maybe Leeks. or sweet potatoes. Also, sowing in trays makes better use of space -- for things like succession planting --- so if you are planning on harvesting a spring crop then using the space for a summer crop - you can start the summer crop indoors, giving it a jump start. So plants are also very susceptible to bug damage, wind damage, trampling, seedlings being eaten by birds etc. Also if the plant has a really low germination rate, sowing in trays is a good idea. So, WHY a particular seed does not have a sow outdoor option for your area will depend on the plant and the particulars of your area.

- Celeste Archer

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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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