What hardiness zones is Apium graveolens 'Utah 52-70' suitable for?

Apium graveolens 'Utah 52-70' is a biennial vegetable grown as an annual, reaching 20-26 inches (50-65 cm) tall with a spread of 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) and an upright, compact, bunching habit. An improved selection from the Utah celery breeding line, the '52-70' designation indicates selection year and line number. It produces thick, smooth, dark green stalks 9-10 inches (23-25 cm) long—shorter than 'Tall Utah' but with a thicker, more compact heart and improved disease resistance. Stalks are crisp and stringless with a nutty celery flavor. Days to maturity 75-90 from transplant—slightly faster than 'Tall Utah'. Growth rate is moderate. Cool-season crop—same demanding culture as all celery.

Native Range

Apium graveolens is native to Europe and western Asia—marshes and coastal areas. 'Utah 52-70' is an improved selection from the University of Utah celery breeding program.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—raw, cooking, soups, juicing. Thick compact heart. Stringless. Improved disease resistance. 75-90 days—faster than Tall Utah. Demanding—consistent moisture, rich soil, cool temps. Not suitable for hot climates, dry conditions, or inattentive watering.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Tall Utah' by the shorter stalks (9-10 versus 11-12 inches), the thicker more compact heart, the darker green color, the improved disease resistance, and the faster maturity (75-90 versus 80-100 days). Distinguished from self-blanching types by the green (versus yellow) stalks. Utah 52-70—compact thick heart, dark green, improved disease resistance, faster maturity.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'8" - 2'2"

Width/Spread10" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bolts in second year or under heat/cold stress. Small umbels of greenish-white flowers. Bolting ruins harvest. Avoid planting out too early in cold conditions.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish-white; small umbels; bolting only—undesirable

Foliage Description

Dark green; compound; on thick crisp stalks 9-10 inches; compact heart

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

semi-hardy

Time to Maturity

75-90 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Transplant after last frost when nights above 50°F (10°C). Rich, moist soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Consistent moisture—never let dry. Heavy feeding. Cool temps 60-70°F (16-21°C). Days to maturity 75-90 from transplant. Improved disease resistance over older Utah types.