When to plant celery in zone 3a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3A

Growing SeasonZone 3a

Last frost ~May 30First frost ~Sep 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEP

Start indoors Mar 21 · Transplant May 16 · First harvest Aug 24 · Wrap by Sep 10

Last spring frostMay 30

Start seeds indoorsMar 21

Transplant outMay 16

First harvestAug 24

Last harvestSep 10

Fall succession sowMay 28

First fall frostSep 10

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 frost-free days. Celery tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 10 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around May 28 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does celery take to grow in zone 3a?

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 3a that means setting plants out around May 16 and first picking around Aug 24.

Will celery survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 3a?

Yes — in zone 3a there's time for a fall sowing around May 28 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full celery growing guide →