When to Plant Celery in Chicago, Illinois (60616)

Location

Chicago, Illinois

ZIP Code

60616

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Start Seeds Indoors Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Transplant Outdoors Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Pro Tip: Start Celery seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Apium graveolens

Days to Maturity 130 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 8-28 days

Ready to Plant Celery in Chicago?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CosmosDaisySnapDragon

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

CornAster

See the full companion planting guide for Celery →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Celery is biennial — it seeds in year 2. Harvest umbels just before seeds shatter in summer.

Processing

Cut seed heads into bags, dry 2 weeks, thresh to release seeds.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

In cold climates, dig celery in fall, store roots in a root cellar, and replant in spring for year-2 flowering.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Chicago, Illinois? +

In Chicago (Zone 6b), start Celery seeds indoors around Wednesday, February 4, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Chicago, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Chicago, Illinois (ZIP 60616) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Celery take to grow? +

Celery typically matures in about 130 days from transplanting. In Chicago, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, April 29, 2026 plus 130 days.

Should I start Celery indoors or direct sow in Illinois? +

Celery should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Chicago, that means starting around Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Other Plants for Chicago

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Growing Celery in Zone 6b

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a popular garden vegetable. In Chicago, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, you should start seeds indoors around Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Celery seedlings outdoors around Wednesday, April 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.