When to Plant Celery
A challenging but rewarding cool-season crop that needs consistent moisture and moderate temperatures.
The Short Answer
How to Grow Celery
Celery is the patient gardener's challenge — 100-130 days from transplant to harvest, with exacting moisture requirements throughout. The stalks are 95% water, which means the soil can never dry out. Consistent moisture is more critical for celery than for any other vegetable. Home-garden celery tastes dramatically different from store-bought — more intense, more herbal, and surprisingly flavorful. Blanching (wrapping stalks with paper or hilling soil) produces milder, lighter stalks similar to commercial celery. Unblanched garden celery is darker, stronger-flavored, and preferred by most home growers once they taste it.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Begin celery seeds indoors 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 50°F to germinate, which typically takes 14-21 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.
Transplanting
Move seedlings outside 0 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 50°F. Harden off seedlings for 10 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Growing Tips
Celery demands constant moisture — never let soil dry out. Blanch stalks by wrapping with newspaper or hilling soil to produce milder, lighter stalks. Garden celery has more flavor than store-bought.
Companion Planting
Good companions:
Keep away from:
Celery Planting Dates by State
Click your state for celery planting dates specific to your location:
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026