When to plant celery in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 6 · Transplant May 1 · First harvest Aug 9 · Wrap by Sep 6

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 6

Transplant outMay 1

First harvestAug 9

Last harvestSep 6

Fall succession sowJun 17

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 17 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Celery matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 5b that means setting plants out around May 1 and first picking around Aug 9.

Will celery survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — celery tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

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

Yes — in zone 5b there's time for a fall sowing around Jun 17 for a second harvest before frost.

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