When to Plant Celery in New Jersey

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Transplant outdoors: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Based on Avenel · Zone 7b

Last frost: Sunday, April 5, 2026

State

New Jersey

USDA Zones

6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Avg Last Frost

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Cities Covered

579

New Jersey Planting Schedule by Zone

New Jersey spans 4 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone	Last Frost	Start Indoors	Transplant	Example Cities
6b	Wednesday, April 15, 2026	Wednesday, February 4, 2026	Wednesday, April 29, 2026	Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler
7a	Friday, April 10, 2026	Friday, January 30, 2026	Friday, April 24, 2026	Bloomfield, Fairfield, Caldwell
7b	Sunday, April 5, 2026	Sunday, January 25, 2026	Sunday, April 19, 2026	Avenel, Bayonne, Carteret
8a	Friday, March 20, 2026	Friday, January 9, 2026	Friday, April 3, 2026	Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May

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 New Jersey: Complete Guide

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before New Jersey's last frost. Most New Jersey gardeners begin seeds indoors around Sunday, January 25, 2026 and move transplants outside around Sunday, April 19, 2026, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because New Jersey stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four 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 New Jersey'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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celery in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, start Celery seeds indoors around Sunday, January 25, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, April 19, 2026 after your last frost. New Jersey spans zones 6b–8a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in New Jersey?

New Jersey spans 4 USDA zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), so last frost dates vary by region. Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Butler (6b) sees frost until around Wednesday, April 15, 2026, while Bridgeport, Brigantine, Cape May (8a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Celery take to grow in New Jersey?

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

What USDA zones does New Jersey cover for Celery?

New Jersey includes zones 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.

Absecon 7b Adelphia 7a Allamuchy 6b Allendale 7a Allenhurst 7b Allentown 7a Allenwood 7b Alloway 7b Alpine 7a Andover 6b Annandale 7a Asbury 7a Asbury Park 7b Atco 7a Atlantic City 8a Atlantic Highlands 7b Audubon 7b Augusta 6b Avalon 7b Avenel 7b Avon By The Sea 7b Baptistown 7a Barnegat 7a Barnegat Light 7b Barrington 7b Basking Ridge 7a Bayonne 7b Bayville 7a Beach Haven 7b Beachwood 7a Bedminster 7a Belford 7b Belle Mead 7a Belleville 7b Bellmawr 7b Belmar 7b Belvidere 7a Bergenfield 7b Berkeley Heights 7a Berlin 7a Bernardsville 6b Beverly 7b Birmingham 7b Blackwood 7b Blairstown 6b Blawenburg 7a Bloomfield 7a Bloomingdale 7a Bloomsbury 7a Bogota 7b Boonton 6b Bordentown 7a Bound Brook 7a Bradley Beach 7b Branchville 6b Brick 7b Bridgeport 8a Bridgeton 7b Bridgewater 7a Brielle 7b +519 more cities

Other Plants for New Jersey

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