When to Plant Celery in Maryland

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, January 9, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Friday, April 3, 2026

Based on Baltimore · Zone 8a

Last frost: Friday, March 20, 2026

State

Maryland

USDA Zones

6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

Cities Covered

430

Maryland Planting Schedule by Zone

Maryland spans 5 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant	Example Cities
6a	Monday, April 20, 2026	Monday, February 9, 2026	Monday, May 4, 2026	Accident, Bittinger, Friendsville
6b	Wednesday, April 15, 2026	Wednesday, February 4, 2026	Wednesday, April 29, 2026	Barton, Bloomington, Eckhart Mines
7a	Friday, April 10, 2026	Friday, January 30, 2026	Friday, April 24, 2026	Bowie, Barnesville, Clarksburg
7b	Sunday, April 5, 2026	Sunday, January 25, 2026	Sunday, April 19, 2026	Towson, Baltimore, Gwynn Oak
8a	Friday, March 20, 2026	Friday, January 9, 2026	Friday, April 3, 2026	Baltimore, Sparrows Point, Middle River

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Celery

Scientific Name Apium graveolens

Days to Maturity 130 days

Sun Full Sun

Water Regular

🤝 Companion Plants for Celery

Good Companions

CosmosDaisySnapDragon

Avoid Planting Near

CornAster

See the full companion planting guide for Celery →

Growing Celery in Maryland: Complete Guide

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Maryland's last frost. Most Maryland gardeners begin seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026 and move transplants outside around Friday, April 3, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Maryland stretches across 5 USDA hardiness zones (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 130 days to maturity, Celery needs the indoor head start that Maryland's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Celery requires full sun and regular moisture. Most of Maryland receives adequate sunlight during the growing season, though gardeners in humid eastern regions should watch for fungal issues and ensure good air circulation.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in Maryland?

In Maryland, start Celery seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026 after your last frost. Maryland spans zones 6a–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Maryland?

Maryland spans 5 USDA zones (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Accident, Bittinger, Friendsville (6a) sees frost until around Monday, April 20, 2026, while Baltimore, Sparrows Point, Middle River (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Celery take to grow in Maryland?

Celery takes about 130 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Maryland gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does Maryland cover for Celery?

Maryland includes zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Celery grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

Find Precise Dates for Your City

Select a city for exact planting dates based on local frost records.

Abell 8a Aberdeen 7b Aberdeen Proving Ground 7b Abingdon 7b Accident 6a Accokeek 7b Adamstown 7b Allen 7b Andrews Air Force Base 7b Annapolis 7b Annapolis Junction 7b Aquasco 7b Arnold 8a Ashton 7b Avenue 8a Baldwin 7b Baltimore 8a Barclay 7b Barnesville 7a Barstow 7b Barton 6b Beallsville 7b Bel Air 7b Bel Alton 7b Belcamp 7b Beltsville 7b Benedict 7b Benson 7b Berlin 7b Bethesda 7b Bethlehem 7b Betterton 7b Big Pool 7a Bishopville 7b Bittinger 6a Bivalve 8a Bladensburg 7b Bloomington 6b Boonsboro 7a Boring 7a Bowie 7a Boyds 7b Bozman 8a Braddock Heights 7b Brandywine 7b Brentwood 7b Brinklow 7b Brookeville 7b Brooklandville 7b Brooklyn 8a Broomes Island 8a Brownsville 7a Brunswick 7a Bryans Road 7b Bryantown 7b Buckeystown 7b Burkittsville 7a Burtonsville 7b Bushwood 8a Butler 7b +370 more cities

Other Plants for Maryland

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree