Organic Utah Celery Seeds

Utah celery is an heirloom stem variety that is a favorite for its tall and juicy stalks.

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• This is a cool season crop that thrives in cool and moist environments. For Zones 9 and 10 plant celery during the winter and early spring.

Zones 2-8

• Sow in early March or 10-12 weeks before transplanting outdoors.

Planting Celery Seeds

• We recommend transplanting out in Zones 9 and 10. This allows you to start seed in a protected cool space in the garden in the fall to plant into the garden when temperatures have cooled.
• Using starter pots or trays, place the seeds on top of moist high-quality seed starting soil and cover them with 1/16″ of finely sifted soil.
• Direct sowing is not recommended.
• Fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer two weeks after seedlings have germinated.

Growing Celery

• Once your seedlings are 7-8 weeks old, and 5-6″ tall and stocky, you can plant them in the garden. Celery is an upright plant that needs appropriate spacing. Space plants at least 8″ apart for best plant development. If the winter season remains hot, use shade cloth or row cover for protection.

Growing Celery in Containers

• Celery is an excellent container crop. Make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much.

Harvesting Celery 

• Celery can be harvested at any point. Stalks are tastiest young and tender, and when they have received ample irrigation or rainfall.

Southern California Pro-tips

• Mulch heavily around your plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• During our hottest months of August, September, and October, plants can suffer from the heat. Using shade cloth can help protect the plants from extreme heat.  During particularly warm winters, shade cloth may be needed the whole winter for celery.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Celery grows great between Cole crops like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Good companion flowers are cosmos, gaillardia, and borage.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to celery at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.