Red Venture

Family: Apiaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Crisp as a cool morning breeze, Red Venture celery brings a striking blush of ruby-red to its tender ribs, with a clean, bright celery flavor that stays pleasantly sweet.

Expect a tight, upright habit and succulent, leaf-forward stalks with a fine, snappy texture—ideal for fresh bunches and bold, aromatic flavor in any garden harvest. Grow it for its showy color and dependable 85-day timing, then enjoy the vibrant crunch it lends to salads and flavorful blends.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

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Red Venture 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	Mar 16th	May 25th	Aug 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 19th	Aug 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 13th	Aug 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 8th	Aug 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 4th	Jul 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 25th	Jul 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 20th	Jul 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 10th	Jul 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 1st	Jun 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 6th	May 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 9th	May 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Venture celery gives you that pure, upright celery flavor with a tender, ruby-rib crunch that stays lively rather than going stringy. Slice it thin or pickle it fast—its sweetness and bright herbal aroma make it punch through creamy dressings and salty cheeses without tasting cooked-out.

Best Uses

raw crudités and shaved ribbons for high-crunch salads
bracing green base for stock and broth (stalk + leaves)
quick-pickling or vinegar-marinated ribs to keep them snappy
chopped aromatic component for tuna/chicken/salad dressings

Flavor Profile

clean, bright celery snap pleasant sweetness in the rib tender, succulent crunch leaf-forward aroma with a mild herbal bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan butter dijon mustard tuna

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects sweet celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce), and what should I do if I see it?

Celery is especially prone to Septoria leaf spot (small tan spots with darker borders that spread on older leaves). Remove and discard affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve airflow around plants; if the problem persists, spray a labeled fungicide that’s safe for edible celery following the label rate and timing. Check plants after rainy periods because splash-borne spores spread quickly in dense foliage.

How often should I water sweet celery during the main growing phase?

During active growth (roughly from transplanting until about a month before harvest), keep the soil consistently moist—aim for evenly damp beds, not drying out between waterings. In typical home gardens this often means watering about 1–2 times per week, but adjust to soil texture and weather so moisture stays steady at the root zone (mulch helps reduce swings). Celery that dries then gets water again commonly leads to bitterness and poor, fibrous stalks.

How can I tell when sweet celery is ready to harvest at about 85 days?

Harvest when stalks feel firm and crisp, and the plant has formed a tight crown with stalks that are thick for their size. You should also see mature leaf size and color, with the plant reaching full height for your spacing—typically near your 85-day target from sowing/transplanting as appropriate. For best eating quality, cut stalks at the base in the morning and keep them cool immediately after harvest.