How to grow Celery in Australia
Celery needs full sun to part shade in rich, constantly moist soil, as any dryness makes it stringy and bitter. Water generously and never let it check.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 1 days
- Spacing: 25 cm
- Time to harvest: 120 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to July | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to July | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to July | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to July | Sow indoors Feb to Apr for May to Jul transplant. Melbourne cool season ideal; slow germination. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to November | Sow Aug to Nov, transplant 8 weeks later, and keep constantly moist through summer. Seedlings chilled in winter often bolt in spring. |
| Perth & WA | February to May, August and September | Sow trays Feb to May in bright shade for winter and spring sticks, or Aug to Sep for early summer. Keep it constantly moist; sand dries too fast without compost and mulch. |
| Tasmania | September to November | Sow Sep to Nov, transplant Nov to Dec. Cool moist summers grow crisp celery without bitterness. |
| Canberra & ACT | February, September to November | Sow Sep to Nov for the main crop, or Feb under cover. Slow to start; keep well watered through the dry summer. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Celery is cool-season crop; marginal in tropics even with cool months. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Celery is cool-season crop; marginal in tropics even with cool months. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Cut whole bunches at the base when stalks are tall, thick and crisp. Or pick outer stalks one at a time and the centre keeps producing more.
Storage
Fridge in a sealed bag or wrapped in foil, up to 2 weeks.