When to plant celery in zone 5a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5A

Growing SeasonZone 5a

Last frost ~May 10First frost ~Oct 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 1 · Transplant Apr 26 · First harvest Aug 4 · Wrap by Sep 1

Last spring frostMay 10

Start seeds indoorsMar 1

Transplant outApr 26

First harvestAug 4

Last harvestSep 1

Fall succession sowJun 18

First fall frostOct 1

Why these dates work in zone 5a

Zone 5a's last spring frost averages May 10 and first fall frost Oct 1 — about 144 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 18 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does celery take to grow in zone 5a?

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 5a that means setting plants out around Apr 26 and first picking around Aug 4.

Will celery survive frost in zone 5a?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 10) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 1).

Can I plant a second crop of celery in zone 5a?

Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Jun 18 for a second harvest before frost.

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