Celery: Planting, Growing and Harvesting Celery Plants

Planting

Celery seeds should always be started indoors for the best success rate, 8 to 10 weeks before the average last frost date for your area.
For summer gardeners, a late summer direct sowing is possible. Be sure that temps will stay between 55 and 70ºF throughout growing period.
The National Gardening Association recommends soaking seeds in warm water overnight prior to planting, to reduce germination time.
Work organic fertilizer or compost into the soil prior to planting.
Harden off seedlings before transplanting by reducing water slightly, and keeping them outdoors for a couple hours a day.
Transplant seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart, direct sow seeds ¼ inch deep. These will need to be thinned to 12 inches apart when they reach about six inches high.
Mulch and water directly after planting.

Care

Celery is a heavy feeder. It also requires lots of water. Make sure to provide plenty of water during the entire growing season, especially during hot, dry weather.
If celery does not get enough water, the stalks will be dry, and small.
Add plenty of compost and mulch around the plants to retain moisture.
Fertilize regularly. Add mulch as needed, to help retain soil moisture and add nutrients.
Tie growing celery stalks together to keep them from sprawling.

Pests

Cutworms
Aphids
Whiteflies
Bolting
Mosaic Virus
Fusarium Wilt

Harvest/Storage

The parts of celery that are harvested are mainly the stalks, which will be above ground.
Harvest stalks from the outside in. You may begin harvesting when stalks are about 8 inches tall.
Celery can be kept in the garden for up to a month if soil is built up around it to maintain an ideal temperature. Note: Celery will tolerate a light frost, but not consecutive frosts.
Tip: The darker the stalks become, the more nutrients they will contain. Texture changes with color, dark green stalks will be tougher.
Keep celery in a plastic bag, in the refrigerator. It should be used within two weeks.

Recommended Varieties

‘Utah’ good for gardeners with limited space. Will only reach 18 inches tall.
‘Alfina’ slender stalks, dark green, quick variety (60 days to maturity)
‘Conquistador’ is tolerant of higher temps and watering shortage.

Recipes

Wit & Wisdom

The ancient Romans believed that celery had healing powers, especially when it came to headaches.

Comments

celery

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By Anonymous

Thanks..enjoyed reading up on celery as I am going to plant it for the first time this season :)

delicous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By Anonymous

I type I buy is almost sweet tasting.
I usually eat the stalks raw but every once in awhile steam them and then add a bit of grapeseed oil........just wonderful

seeds wont sprout

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By Anonymous

I have planted about 12 peatmoss pods with celery over a month ago and the temp is at 68 and not one has even sprouted. What am I doing wrong?

You are not necessarily doing anything wrong; celery is not an easy crop to grow. You do not indicate where you are, but a temp of 68°F seems a little high, based on our sources. You also do not mention your soil conditions; celery likes lots of organic matter, which means good compost. Peat holds moisture but also brings a certain amount of acidity, which could be too much for celery, which prefers soil of neutral pH. You might consult your local extension service for specific advice for your area. We hope this helps.

growing celery and other cool weather plants

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By Anonymous

I would love to grow celery and collard greens, kale and rhubarb. But all these plants don't toleerate heat and drought well, both which we will have more of with global warming. Those climate change deniers must not be gardeners.

as a child my mom says she

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By Anonymous

as a child my mom says she recalls her mom wrapping the celery with newspaper! Is this a good idea?

celery and newspaper

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By Almanac Staff

Some people prefer to blanch celery because it makes it taste milder. It also turns the stalks a paler green to white, but makes them less nutritious.

To blanch, you can wrap the stalks with newspaper when the plant is about 11 to 18 inches tall, or about 10 to 20 days before harvest. Allow about 6 or so inches of the leaves to pop out of the top of the newspaper. Tie the newspaper with twine to secure it, and cover the bottom edge with black plastic and then cover with soil. (Direct contact of soil on the stalks may cause them to rot.)

Other gardeners use boards or other materials to block the light from the stalks.

Nowadays, there are self-blanching types of celery. These usually have more leaves, which, if the plants are planted in blocks, are enough to block out light to the stalks for a milder taste.

Older varieties, that offer more intense flavor, might require some form of blanching, such as the above or trenching, to reduce the bitterness.

Celery seeds

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By Anonymous

Where can I purchase celery seeds?

try stems

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By Anonymous

If you want to you can also buy store bought celery, cut the stalks just above the white base, then take the base and soak it in water in a sunny window. You will see shoots within a week.

try stems

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By Anonymous

What do you do after the stalk grows? Can you plant it ?

try stems

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By Anonymous on May 15

yep, just plant it after it start showing some roots. I have onbe in my garden coming along nicely, planted it in January, just to see what it would do, It's just loving it out there.