Monarch

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Monarch Celery brings a cool, crisp fragrance that feels like fresh garden air—tender, pale stalks with a clean, succulent bite and a pleasantly mild, celery-sweet flavor.

At 105 days, it forms a compact, upright clump that stays crisp and uniform, ideal for refreshing use where you want bright, aromatic character. Grow Monarch for its refined texture and dependable performance, then let its gentle sweetness shine in salads, braises, and slow-simmered sauces, or for pickling when you crave a tangy crunch.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Upright

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Monarch Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Aug 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 5th	Aug 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Aug 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Apr 29th	Aug 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Aug 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Aug 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jul 31st – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 11th	Jul 25th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Jul 20th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Mar 27th	Jul 10th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 18th	Jul 1st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	Jun 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 20th	Jun 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Jan 26th	May 11th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 14th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	105
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Monarch is built for the plate: pale, compact stalks stay uniformly crisp so you get an immediate, clean celery-herb hit rather than a wet, fibrous collapse. Use it early in braises or pickle it for that sharp, tangy crunch that tastes like cold garden air.

Best Uses

raw crudités and shaved-stalk salads where it stays snappy under dressing
quick-sautéed mirepoix-style base for soups and stocks (gentle, not overpowering)
braises and stews where it perfumes the pot without turning stringy
quick pickles for a tangy, crunchy crunch

Flavor Profile

cool, crisp celery sweetness tender snap with light fibrous bite fresh, aromatic herbal fragrance

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan mustard chicken butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects sweet celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), and how can I manage it?

Celery often suffers from early blight/leaf spot diseases caused by fungal pathogens that spread with splashing water and humid foliage. Remove and discard badly spotted outer leaves, water at the soil line (not over the canopy), and improve airflow by thinning so plants aren’t crowded. If spots spread, apply a labeled fungicide for celery/leaf spot and repeat according to the label—fungal pressure usually rises in warm, damp weather.

How often should I water sweet celery during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During the main growth period, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for a damp, crumbly feel in the top few inches. In typical home gardens, this often means about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted so the surface doesn’t dry out between waterings. Use mulch to reduce moisture swings, since celery (Apiaceae) is sensitive to drying that can stunt growth and toughen stems.

How can I tell when sweet celery is ready to harvest (about 105 days)?

Harvest when stalks are fully developed and crisp, with a good internal fill and a firm base near the soil line. You should be able to cut outer stalks first once they reach usable size, then continue harvesting over several weeks rather than pulling the whole plant at once. If you see stalks staying thin or becoming pithy, wait a bit longer—celery commonly needs close to its ~105-day maturity for best texture.