Self-blanching
Utah 52-70 celery is a heirloom variety bred for gardeners working with tight timelines and smaller plots. Recommended by Utah State University, this cultivar matures in 100 days and reaches 12 to 24 inches tall, making it notably taller and greener than the standard Utah variety. It thrives in zones 8 through 10, handles full sun and consistent moisture, and offers the flexibility to harvest stalks as soon as they reach six inches, or wait for full maturity.
Full Sun
High
8-10
24in H x ?in W
Biennial (Grown As An Annual)
Moderate
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This variety proves especially valuable for short-season gardeners and those gardening in limited space, since you can begin harvesting individual stalks well before the plant reaches full size. The extra height and deeper green color compared to regular Utah celery makes it visually distinctive in the garden. Its frost tolerance extends the growing window in cooler climates, while the non-GMO, heirloom pedigree appeals to seed savers and gardeners seeking authentic vegetable genetics.
Utah 52-70 serves as a fresh-harvest celery for salads, slaws, soups, and braised dishes. The upright growth habit and harvestable stalks at six inches allow gardeners to pick individual pieces for cooking throughout the season, rather than committing to whole-plant harvest. Its dual nature, both as a small-stalk snacking vegetable and full-sized mature plant, gives home cooks flexibility in how they use it.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your transplant date, maintaining soil temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Celery seeds are tiny and benefit from consistent moisture; keep the seed-starting medium damp but not waterlogged.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days before moving them outdoors. Transplant after all frost danger has passed in your zone, spacing plants 12 inches apart with rows 24 inches apart. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers, and water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
In zones 8 through 10, direct sow seeds after the last spring frost date directly into prepared garden beds with consistent moisture. Press seeds onto the soil surface (they need light to germinate), then gently press them in without covering. Keep the area consistently moist until seedlings establish.
Begin harvesting Utah 52-70 stalks once they reach a minimum of six inches in height, typically 100 to 109 days from sowing. For continuous harvests, snap or cut outer stalks from the base while leaving the inner growth point intact, allowing the plant to produce more stalks. Alternatively, wait for full plant maturity and harvest the entire plant. The variety's frost tolerance means you can often continue harvesting well into fall and early winter in milder zones.
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“Utah 52-70 emerged as a deliberate breeding effort to create a celery variety suited to shorter growing seasons and smaller garden footprints. The variety carries Utah State University's endorsement, signaling decades of regional testing and refinement in Utah's agricultural climate. Its heirloom status reflects careful stewardship by gardeners and seed companies committed to preserving open-pollinated genetics in an era of hybrid dominance.”