What To Know
- This guide will walk you through the process of how to grow celery in your garden, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your own delicious stalks.
- Till the soil to a depth of 12 inches to break up any clumps and create a loose, workable texture.
- Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, thin them to the strongest plant in each cell.
Celery, with its refreshing crunch and savory flavor, is a staple in many kitchens. But did you know that growing your own celery can be surprisingly rewarding? This guide will walk you through the process of how to grow celery in your garden, from choosing the right variety to harvesting your own delicious stalks.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Celery Variety
The first step in your celery-growing journey is selecting the right variety. There are two main types of celery:
- Upright Celery: This type is the most common, with stalks that grow straight up. It’s ideal for traditional celery use in salads, soups, and stews.
- Curled Celery: This variety features curly, frilly stalks, adding a unique visual appeal to dishes. It’s often used for garnishes and decorative purposes.
When choosing a variety, consider your climate and growing season. Some popular options include:
- ‘Pascal’ Celery: A classic upright variety known for its sweet flavor and crisp texture.
- ‘Utah’ Celery: Another upright option with excellent disease resistance and a long harvest season.
- ‘Golden Self-Blanching’ Celery: This variety has golden-yellow stalks and a milder flavor than traditional green celery.
- ‘Green Curled’ Celery: A classic curled variety with a slightly stronger flavor than upright celery.
Preparing Your Garden Bed: Soil and Sunlight
Celery thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0-6.8). It also needs plenty of sunlight, at least 6 hours per day.
Here’s how to prepare your garden bed:
1. Choose a sunny location: Select a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
2. Amend the soil: Celery prefers rich, loose soil. Incorporate compost or aged manure into the soil to improve drainage and fertility.
3. Test the pH: Use a soil testing kit to determine the pH of your soil. If it’s too acidic, add lime to raise the pH. If it’s too alkaline, add sulfur to lower the pH.
4. Till the soil: Till the soil to a depth of 12 inches to break up any clumps and create a loose, workable texture.
Starting Celery Seeds: Indoors or Outdoors?
You can start celery seeds indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate and growing season.
Starting Celery Seeds Indoors:
1. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost: Fill seed trays with seed-starting mix and sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep.
2. Keep the soil moist: Water the trays regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
3. Provide adequate light: Place the trays in a sunny window or under grow lights.
4. Thin seedlings: Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, thin them to the strongest plant in each cell.
5. Harden off seedlings: Before transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and wind for a week or two.
Starting Celery Seeds Outdoors:
1. Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart.
2. Thin seedlings: When the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, thin them to 6 inches apart.
Transplanting Celery Seedlings: A Gentle Touch
Once your celery seedlings are about 4-6 inches tall, it’s time to transplant them into your garden bed.
1. Choose a cool, cloudy day: Transplanting on a cool, cloudy day helps reduce stress on the seedlings.
2. Dig planting holes: Dig holes that are slightly wider and deeper than the root ball of the seedlings.
3. Space seedlings: Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart.
4. Water thoroughly: Water the seedlings deeply after transplanting to help them establish roots.
Caring for Your Celery: Water, Weed, and Feed
Celery requires consistent watering, weeding, and fertilizing to thrive.
Watering:
- Celery needs consistent moisture, especially during hot weather. Water deeply and regularly, ensuring the soil is consistently moist but not soggy.
- A layer of mulch around the plants can help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Weeding:
- Regularly remove weeds from around the celery plants to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
Fertilizing:
- Celery is a heavy feeder and benefits from regular fertilization. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, every 3-4 weeks.
Blanching Celery: Enhancing Flavor and Texture
Blanching is a technique that involves covering the celery stalks with soil or paper to exclude light. This process produces whiter, more tender stalks with a milder flavor.
How to blanch celery:
1. Choose the right time: Blanch celery when the stalks are about 6-8 inches tall.
2. Cover the stalks: Use soil, paper, or a specialized blanching device to cover the stalks, leaving only the top few inches exposed to sunlight.
3. Continue watering: Keep the soil moist during the blanching process.
4. Remove the cover: After 2-3 weeks, remove the cover to allow the stalks to develop their full flavor and texture.
Harvesting Your Celery: A Crunchy Reward
Celery is ready to harvest when the stalks are firm and crisp.
How to harvest celery:
- Cut the stalks: Use a sharp knife to cut the stalks at the base of the plant.
- Harvest selectively: You can harvest individual stalks as needed, leaving the rest of the plant to continue growing.
- Store properly: Store harvested celery in the refrigerator for up to a week.
A Final Harvest: Enjoying Your Homegrown Celery
Congratulations! You have successfully grown your own delicious celery. Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits (or rather, stalks) of your labor. Use your homegrown celery in salads, soups, stews, stir-fries, or even as a snack.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: How often should I water my celery?
A: Celery needs consistent moisture, especially during hot weather. Aim to water deeply and regularly, ensuring the soil is consistently moist but not soggy.
Q: What are the signs of a healthy celery plant?
A: Healthy celery plants have vibrant green stalks, lush foliage, and a firm, crisp texture. They should also be free of pests and diseases.
Q: Can I grow celery in a container?
A: Yes, you can grow celery in a container, but choose a large container (at least 12 inches in diameter) with drainage holes.
Q: How long does it take for celery to mature?
A: Celery takes about 80-100 days to mature from seed to harvest.