Celery Growing Guide

All you need to know to grow successfully!

Plant Family:
Apiaceae
Plant Type:
Biennial

Square Foot Spacing:

4
Typical Season:
Cool season
Typical Zones Grown In:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Growing Difficulty:
Moderate

Celery is a green, leafy vegetable that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It has long, fibrous stalks with a crisp texture and a slightly bitter, earthy flavor. Celery is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a popular choice for healthy snacks and recipes. It is often used as a base for soups, stews, and stocks, and can also be eaten raw in salads or as a snack with dips. Celery is a cool-season crop that is typically grown in the spring and fall. It prefers rich, well-draining soil and plenty of moisture.

Brief Growing Guide

  1. Soil Preparation: Celery prefers fertile, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.
  2. Starting Seeds: Celery seeds require specific temperature and moisture conditions to germinate properly. Sow seeds indoors about 10-12 weeks before the last frost, and keep the soil temperature between 70-75°F. The seeds can take up to 3 weeks to germinate, so be patient. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them to one per cell or pot.
  3. Transplanting: After the last frost has passed, transplant the celery seedlings to the garden. Space them about 6-8 inches apart in rows that are 24-30 inches apart.
  4. Watering: Celery requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Water deeply and regularly, but avoid getting the leaves wet which can lead to fungal diseases.
  5. Fertilization: Celery is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilization with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season.
  6. Pest and Disease Control: Celery is susceptible to pest and disease issues such as aphids, slugs, and blight. Use organic insecticides or companion planting with beneficial insects to control pests, and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
  7. Hilling: Celery grows best in hills that are about 6-8 inches tall. About halfway through the growing season, mound soil up around the base of the celery plants to help support them and keep the stalks white and tender.
  8. Harvesting: Celery takes a long time to mature, so be patient. Harvest the outer stalks as needed, leaving the center stalks to continue growing. Celery can be harvested all at once or in stages.

Planting Guidelines

The following are general guides to follow. However, nothing is set in stone. Feel free to experiment!

How to Start:
Start Indoor
When to Direct Sow:
When to Start Indoors:
March, April, May
Sprouting Time:
20-30 days

Ideal Temperature (C):

10-27°C
Depth:
3-6 mm
Spacing (cm):
30cm
Row Spacing (cm):
45cm
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Maturity Time:
100-120
When To Harvest:
June, July, August, September
How to Harvest:
For best flavour and longer storage, water plants the day before harvest. Stalks on the outside of the plant can be harvested at any time. The entire plant may be harvested once the desired size is reached, but the home gardener should leave the plant in the garden and take only what is needed, leaving the root intact. If winter is not too cold, celery will stand in the garden until spring, allowing for light pickings for soups and salads.

Health Benefits

Growing your own food is one of the best things you can do for your health. Let’s check out some of the health benefits!

Is It Edible?
Yes
Edible Parts:
stalk, leaves, seeds, root
Potential Health Benefits:
Nutrient-Dense, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Digestive System

Tips to Growing Organically

Growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides is easier than you may think and it’s better for the environment!

Companion Plants:
Bean,Cauliflower,Broccoli,Kale,Collards,Cucumber,Garlic,Leek,Lettuce,Onion ,Tomato
What Plants to Avoid:
Common Pests:
Aphids, Whiteflies, Cutworms, Tarnished plant bug, and Cabbage loopers.
Common Disease:
Celery mosaic, Leaf blight, Black heart (calcium deficiency: add lime)
Bonus Grow Tips:
Use floating row covers early in the season, and put up collars if cutworms are present.

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