When to plant celery in zone 4a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEP

Start indoors Mar 11 · Transplant May 6 · First harvest Aug 14 · Wrap by Sep 11

Last spring frostMay 20

Start seeds indoorsMar 11

Transplant outMay 6

First harvestAug 14

Last harvestSep 11

Fall succession sowJun 7

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 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 Jun 7 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does celery take to grow in zone 4a?

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 4a that means setting plants out around May 6 and first picking around Aug 14.

Will celery survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Jun 7 for a second harvest before frost.

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