Celery in Zone 9a & 9b
Apium graveolens
When to plant celery in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 7–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 1–Feb 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 1–Jun 8 (~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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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 →
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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 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Celery in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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