Celery in Zone 4a & 4b
Apium graveolens
When to plant celery in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Celery needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 6–Mar 13 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 1–May 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 29–Sep 5 (~120 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2 ft.
Celery has a reputation for being finicky, and that reputation is earned: it needs 120 days of consistently moist soil and steady feeding to form the thick, non-stringy stalks you'd want to eat. It's not a crop to plant and forget.
How celery fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Celery needs about 120 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
- Onion: Onion scent may deter celery pests.
Where to buy celery seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing celery" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Celery in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest