Growing celery (Apium graveolens) is generally considered to be the ultimate vegetable gardening challenge. It has a very long growing season but a very low tolerance for both heat and cold. There isn’t much flavor difference between the homegrown variety and the store-bought variety so most gardeners grow a celery plant purely for the challenge. Read on to find out more about the best way to grow celery in your garden.
Start celery seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in spring. Set transplants in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date when seedlings have 5 to 6 leaves.
In cool spring and summer regions, plant celery in early spring. In warm spring and summer regions, plant celery in late summer for harvest in late autumn or early winter.
PLANTING
Soil Preparation
- Select a site that receives full direct sunlight.
- Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches with a garden fork or tiller. Mix 2 to 4 inches of aged manure and/or compost into the soil. Or, work in some 5-10-10 fertilizer. The soil should retain moisture, bordering on wet but still draining.
- Celery prefers soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Get a soil test if you’re not sure of your soil pH.
Starting Seeds
- Due to a long growing season, start celery seed indoors. For a spring crop, start seeds 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost date. (For a fall crop, start seeds in time to transplant seedlings 10 to 12 weeks before the first autumn frost date.)
- Before planting soak seeds in warm water overnight. This will speed germination.
- Press soaked seeds into seed-starting soil; to get good germination, do not cover with soil.
- Cover starter trays/pots with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Germination should occur in about a week.
- Soon after seedlings appear, place a fluorescent grow light 3 inches above them for 16 hours a day (plants need dark, too).
- Maintain an ambient temperature of 70° to 75°F during the day and 60° to 65°F at night.
- Mist regularly
- When seedlings are 2 inches tall, transplant them to individual peat pots or to deeper flats with new potting soil. In flats, set the plants at least 2 inches apart.
- Harden off seedlings before transplanting by reducing water slightly and putting the outdoors for a couple of hours each day.
Transplants in the Ground
- Plant celery outdoors when the soil temperature reaches at least 50“F and nighttime temperatures don’t dip down below 40“F. (Cold weather after planting can cause bolting.)
- Work organic compost into the soil prior to planting. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.) Or mix in fertilizer (about one pound of 5-10-10 per 30 square feet).
- Plant seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart.
- Water thoroughly.
CARE
- Celery 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. Sidedress with a 5-10-10 fertilizer in the second and third month of growth (one tablespoon per plant and sprinkle it in a shallow furrow three to four inches from the plant and cover it with soil).
- Keep celery weeded but be careful when weeding as celery has shallow roots and could easily get distrubed.
- Tie growing celery stalks together to keep them from sprawling.
HARVESTING AND STORING CELERY
Celery Harvest
Time from planting to harvest is 100 to 130 days from transplants about 20 days longer from seed. A 10-foot row should yield about 20 heads of celery. Start harvesting before the first hard frost when the head is about two to three inches in diameter at the base. Cut off the head at or slightly below the soil level.
Storing and Preserving Celery
Celery will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Leaves cut for use as an herb will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Celery can be dried, canned, and frozen. Seeds can be used as an herb.
CELERY VARIETIES TO GROW
‘Golden Plume’ (85-116 days); ‘Golden Self-Blanching’ (80-118 days); ‘Green Giant’ (95-115 days); ‘Summer Pascal’ (‘Tall Fordhook’) (115 days); ‘Red Celery’ (120 days); ‘Starlet’ (120 days); ‘Utah 52-70’ (125 days); ‘Ventura’ (80-100 days); ‘French Celery Dinant’ (Chinese celery) (55 days).