How to Grow Celery 'Tall Utah'
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Celery 'Tall Utah'
Apium graveolens var. dulce
vegetableTall Utah is a popular heirloom celery variety prized for its tall, slender stalks and mild, crisp flavor. This open-pollinated cultivar produces upright bunches of pale green to white blanched stalks that are tender and excellent for fresh eating and cooking. It's a cool-season crop that requires consistent moisture and patience, typically taking 100-130 days to mature.
When should you plant Celery 'Tall Utah' in your zone?
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Example Celery 'Tall Utah' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Celery 'Tall Utah'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Celery 'Tall Utah'
Around Jul 26≈ 100 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Celery 'Tall Utah' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-8; prefers cooler climates and can be grown spring through fall in most regions
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Get my Celery 'Tall Utah' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seed germinates slowly (2-3 weeks); cotyledons emerge with feathery true leaves following
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 12-14 hours of light daily under grow lights if starting indoors; thin to strongest seedling per cell
Transplant/Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plants develop several true leaves and establish a root system; moved to larger containers or garden beds
Harden off transplants gradually over 7-10 days; plant out when soil is warm (50-60°F minimum); maintain consistent moisture; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer
Blanching/Maturation
4-6 weeksStalks thicken and elongate; outer stalks may be bundled and wrapped with cardboard, burlap, or soil to encourage blanching (pale, tender inner stalks)
Begin blanching when plants are 6-8 inches tall by wrapping bunches loosely with cardboard, paper, or soil 4-6 weeks before harvest; maintain consistent water and fertility
Harvest Ready
Ready when matureStalks reach full height (18-24 inches) and desired thickness (1-1.5 inches at base); blanched varieties appear pale and creamy white
Harvest at peak crispness in cool weather (morning is best); cut entire bunch at soil level or harvest outer stalks individually for continued production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick affected leaves; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage beneficial parasitic wasps; remove plant debris
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Row covers early in season; crop rotation (3+ years); reflective mulches; avoid injuring roots during cultivation
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Use virus-free seeds/transplants; control aphids with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove infected plants immediately; maintain good sanitation
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings)
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Consistent moisture (stress invites mites); water misting; insecticidal soap; neem oil; increase humidity
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and
Hand-pick at dawn/dusk; beer traps; copper barriers; diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles and toads
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryTall Utah's crisp, tender stalks are excellent raw in salads, with dips, or as a snack. Cooked stalks soften beautifully in soups, stews, stir-fries, and braises, contributing a delicate celery flavor to mirepoix bases. [source]
Juicing and smoothies
CulinaryFresh celery juice is prized for its mineral content and subtle sweet-salty flavor. Often combined with apple, cucumber, and ginger for cleansing juices and green smoothies. [source]
Anti-inflammatory and digestive support
MedicinalCelery contains compounds like 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB) and luteolin linked to anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties. Traditionally used in herbal medicine to support digestion and reduce bloating. [source]
Natural cleaning and deodorizing
HouseholdCelery leaves and seeds can be simmered to freshen kitchen air and remove odors naturally. The plant's volatile compounds have mild antimicrobial properties. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeIf celery bolts and flowers, the small, delicate white flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that help control garden pests. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when stalks are 18-24 inches tall and 1-1.5 inches thick at the base (100-130 days from transplant). For best flavor and crispness, harvest in early morning after dew dries. Cut the entire bunch at soil level with a sharp knife, or harvest outer stalks selectively to allow inner stalks to continue developing. Tall Utah can produce for several weeks if outer stalks are harvested regularly. Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; celery keeps 2-3 weeks when properly chilled.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tall Utah is an heirloom variety developed in Utah in the early 1900s and remains one of the most widely grown commercial celery cultivars today.
- 🌱 Celery seeds are incredibly tiny—about 1,500 seeds per gram—and historically were used as a spice and in traditional medicine before the vegetable became popular in modern cuisine.
- 🌱 Celery is about 95% water, making it an excellent hydrating vegetable, but this also means it requires consistent, generous watering throughout the growing season to develop crisp stalks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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