Crops › Celery
How to grow Celery
in the US
Sow March to May, plant out June, harvest June to September. About 100 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Celery, you know, it's one of those vegetables that really makes you feel like a proper gardener when you get it right. It's from the Apiaceae family, and to be honest, it's considered one of the harder ones to grow in the backyard. But that fresh, crisp crunch from your own plot is just something else, well worth the effort.
Sowing
Right then, starting celery from seed is where the challenge often begins. The seeds are tiny, so you want to sow them thinly, just barely covered with a sprinkle of fine compost, indoors, usually around 60-70°F (15-21°C). My GrowMore CookMore app shows timing for zones 5-7, but you'll need to adjust for your local climate; for example, folks in zone 3 might sow May-June, while those in zone 9 could start as early as January or as late as October for a later crop. It takes about 100 days from sowing to harvest, so an early start is key. You won't find many plug plants of celery, so it's best to grow your own from seed.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have a couple of true leaves, they'll need pricking out into individual pots. Handle them gently, they're a bit delicate. Keep them watered and once they're sturdy enough, usually 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall, it's time to harden them off properly for a week or two. Don't rush this bit, you know. Plant them out after all danger of last frost has passed, spacing them about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart in rich soil. They do quite well in large containers too, if you're short on space.
Looking after it
Celery is a thirsty plant, so consistent watering is absolutely crucial to stop it getting tough and stringy. Don't let the soil dry out, like I say, it's a bit of a diva. A good mulch around the base will help keep that moisture in and suppress weeds. You can give them a liquid feed now and then if your soil isn't super rich. Planting marigolds or nasturtiums nearby can sometimes help deter pests, which is always worth a try.
What goes wrong
Slugs are the big enemy of young celery plants, to be honest. They'll munch the tender leaves right down, so keep an eye out and use whatever method you prefer to keep them at bay. Aphids can also be a nuisance, especially on the undersides of leaves. Bolting, where the plant goes to seed too early, is another common issue, often caused by stress from a cold snap or inconsistent watering. Just try to keep them happy and evenly watered.
Harvest
Your celery will be ready for harvest about 100 days after sowing, typically from August right through to October. You can either harvest individual outer stalks as needed, which encourages more growth, or you can cut the entire plant at soil level. For storage, if you've got a bumper crop, you can keep it in a cool, dry place, or wrap it in foil and refrigerate it to keep it crisp for longer. A cracking bit of celery from your own plot, eh?
My best tip for celery is just to make sure you keep it properly watered, especially in drier spells; a dry plant always leads to tough, stringy stalks, and you don't want that after all your effort.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Tall Utah 52-70 This is a classic, reliable performer for any backyard. It's known for its robust growth and good flavor, making it a great choice for general use. | No club votes yet |
| Golden Self-Blanching A reliable performer that, as the name suggests, has a tendency to blanch itself, giving paler, more tender stalks. This variety is perfect if you want to try a slightly different kind of celery without too much fuss. | No club votes yet |
| Tango A cracking, reliable performer that brings a good crunch to your plate. Its vigorous growth makes it a solid choice for those looking for a dependable maincrop. | No club votes yet |
| Utah 85-2 Another reliable performer from the Utah line, known for its strong, upright growth. This one is a good bet if you're looking for a consistent producer with good disease resistance. | No club votes yet |
| Ventura This is a reliable performer with good vigor, producing uniform, crisp stalks. It's a great all-rounder for general growing and fresh eating. | No club votes yet |
| Redventure A reliable performer that adds a beautiful reddish hue to your garden and plate. It's not just pretty; it offers a good, crisp texture and flavor, making it interesting for something a bit different. | No club votes yet |
| Pascal Giant As the name suggests, this is a reliable performer known for its substantial size. If you're after big, sturdy stalks for juicing or hearty cooking, this one's a proper winner. | No club votes yet |
| Conquistador A reliable performer that stands up well in the garden and offers good resistance to some common issues. It's a robust choice for consistent yields and a good, solid celery taste. | No club votes yet |
| Monterey This reliable performer provides excellent crispness and a good, strong celery flavor. It's a solid choice for fresh eating and adding that classic taste to your cooking. | No club votes yet |
| Crunchy A reliable performer bred specifically for its superb crispness, as you'd expect from the name. If you love that satisfying snap in your celery, this variety is definitely one to try. | No club votes yet |
| Hadrian This reliable performer offers good vigor and upright growth, making it easier to manage in the patch. It's a dependable choice for a steady supply of fresh, crisp stalks. | No club votes yet |
| Kelvin A reliable performer known for its uniform growth and good resistance to bolting, which is always a bonus. This makes it a bit more forgiving for growers looking for a dependable crop. | No club votes yet |
| Celebrity This reliable performer is celebrated for its excellent flavor and crisp texture. It's a fantastic all-rounder that consistently produces good quality stalks. | No club votes yet |
| Sonora A reliable performer that is often praised for its ability to produce well even in slightly warmer conditions, though it still needs plenty of water. It's a good one if you're looking for adaptability. | No club votes yet |
| Merengo This reliable performer provides very uniform, sturdy stalks with a good, classic celery taste. It's a solid, dependable choice that won't let you down on the plot. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Celery seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May to June | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to June | July to September |
| Zone 5 | April to May | July to September |
| Zone 6 | March to May | June to September |
| Zone 7 | March to April | June to August |
| Zone 8 | February to April | May to August |
| Zone 9 | January to October | April to December |
| Zone 10 | January to November | April to December |
Cook the harvest
A whole roasted chicken seasoned with homemade celery salt — a simple but profoundly flavorful technique that perfumes the bird inside and out with that distinctive green, herbal celery character. Roasted on a bed of celery stalks that become intensely savory as they caramelize under the dripping fat. This is Sunday roast made special.
100 min · mediumThe classic French bistro salad — raw celeriac (celery root) julienned fine and dressed in a tangy, mustardy mayonnaise sauce — is one of the most underrated side dishes in any repertoire. The texture is crisp-tender and the dressing clings perfectly to every strand. A beautiful partner for charcuterie, smoked salmon, or a simple roast chicken.
20 min · easyTender celery stalks baked in a rich cream sauce with Gruyère and a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping — this is the gratin that will make celery believers out of skeptics. Braised until silky before the final bake, the celery becomes almost luxuriously tender with a complexity that surprises everyone who tries it. An elegant side for the holiday table.
70 min · mediumThe essential Thanksgiving stuffing where celery is the aromatic backbone — cubed sourdough bread toasted golden, mixed with celery, onion, sage, thyme, and a generous pour of butter and broth. This is the classic American stuffing that belongs at every holiday table, beloved for its herby fragrance and satisfying texture.
65 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Celery in the US?
Sow Celery from March to May in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out June, after the last frost.
How long does Celery take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 100 days, with the harvest June to September.
Which Celery varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Tall Utah 52-70, Golden Self-Blanching, Tango, Utah 85-2 and more.
Track your Celery from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.