Celery: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
Your result
—
Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Celery with this frost date : start indoors ~Feb 4, transplant ~Apr 8 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
—
Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About celery
Celery is a slow-growing, water-demanding crop that rewards patient gardeners with stalks far more flavorful and tender than their store-bought counterparts.
Spacing & yield
Celery wants 8×24 inches and about 1 lb per plant at ~100 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Start seeds indoors a full 10 weeks before last frost — celery is exceptionally slow to germinate and grow.
- Keep soil consistently moist throughout the growing season; celery is essentially a wetland plant.
- Blanch stalks by hilling soil or wrapping with cardboard 2-3 weeks before harvest for milder flavor.
- Side-dress monthly with compost tea or balanced fertilizer — celery is a heavy feeder.
- Grow in partial afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent bolting.
Common mistakes
- Letting soil dry between waterings, causing hollow, stringy, bitter stalks.
- Starting seeds too late; 10 weeks of indoor time is non-negotiable for transplant-size seedlings.
- Transplanting into unprepared soil without adequate organic matter.
Harvest & storage
Cut the entire plant at the base or snap outer stalks individually once they reach 8 inches, about 100 days from transplant.
Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2-4 weeks; celery stores surprisingly well this way.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for celery: beans, cabbage, leeks, onions, tomatoes. Avoid planting beside: corn, parsnips, potatoes.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 10 weeks before last frost, then transplant 1 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How far apart should celery be planted?
- Space plants 8 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart to provide enough room for the broad leaf canopy.
- How much celery does one plant produce?
- A single plant yields about 1 lb of usable stalks — roughly one grocery-store bunch.
- How long does celery take to grow?
- Celery needs about 100 days from transplant to reach full harvest size, making it one of the longest-season crops.
- When should celery seeds be started?
- Begin indoors 10 weeks before last frost and transplant 1 week before last frost; celery handles light chill.