How to Plant Celery Seeds

Overview

Not many gardeners try to grow celery from seed. It's a fussy plant that requires exacting care with the correct amount of nutrients, sun and water to thrive. However hard to care for, celery straight from the garden is tastier and more tender than any purchased from farmer's markets or grocery stores. Plant celery as early as you can in spring as celery will not grow well in temperatures over 75 degrees F. Southern gardeners can plant celery in the fall and grow it over the winter. It will take between five and six months from planting the seeds outdoors until harvest.

Step 1

Plant celery seed outside two to three weeks before your last predicted frost date. Plant in a spot that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.

Step 2

Prepare the soil or planting bed for the celery seeds by spreading a 4- to 6-inch layer of compost over the soil. Use a shovel or garden tiller to incorporate the compost into the top 6 inches of soil. Rake the bed smooth.

Step 3

Plant celery seeds in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Make a furrow 1/8 of an inch deep down the middle of the row. Use either a triangular head hoe or the corner of a flat head hoe to make the furrow.

Step 4

Drop the celery seeds into the furrow spacing them 1/2 an inch apart.

Step 5

Cover the celery seeds with 1/8 of an inch of compost.

Step 6

Water your newly planted celery seeds until the soil is moist, but not soggy, to a depth of 1 inch. Use an adjustable watering head with a "fine mist" setting to water the seeds until they germinate.