How to Sow and Grow Celery

Celery is a delicious and highly nutritious vegetable that thrives in cool weather. Known for its crunchy texture and refreshing flavour, celery is a versatile addition to salads, soups, and even smoothies. While growing celery might seem like a challenge due to its slow-growing nature, with a little patience and the right care, you can enjoy homegrown celery right from your garden.

 Celery Blush

Starting your Seeds

Celery has a long growing season, so it’s best to start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Celery seeds
• Seed tray or small pots
• Potting soil
• A heat mat (optional)
• Grow lights (optional but recommended)
• Watering can or spray bottle

Steps to Start Seeds:

• Prepare the Seed Tray: Fill your seed tray or small pots with a lightweight seed-starting mix. Celery seeds are tiny, so the mix should be fine and well-draining.
• Sow the Seeds: Sprinkle the celery seeds evenly on the surface of the soil. Gently press them into the soil using a flat board or the back of a spoon, but don’t bury them deeply. Celery seeds need light to germinate.
• Water Gently: Mist the soil surface with a spray bottle to moisten it. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Provide Warmth: Celery seeds need warmth to germinate, ideally between 21°C-24°C. A heat mat placed under your seed tray can help achieve this temperature.
• Provide Light: Once the seeds sprout, they need plenty of light. Place the tray in a sunny window or under grow lights. Celery seedlings require 12-16 hours of light per day.
• Thin the Seedlings: Once the seedlings have a few sets of leaves, thin them out by removing the weakest ones, leaving the strongest plants spaced about 4-8 cm.

Transplanting Celery Outdoors

Celery prefers cool weather, so wait until the soil has warmed and the threat of frost has passed. When the seedlings have grown large enough to handle (around 16-20 cm), you can begin hardening them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week before transplanting them into your garden.

Best Growing Conditions:

• Soil: Celery prefers rich, well-draining soil that’s high in organic matter. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, amend it with compost to improve texture and fertility.
• pH: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 6.0-7.0.
• Sunlight: Celery grows best in full sun but can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates.
• Space: Celery needs space to grow. Space your plants about 30-40 cm apart in rows that are 45-50 cm apart.

Transplanting Steps:

• Prepare the Garden Bed: Choose a location that receives full sun for most of the day and prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to increase fertility.
• Dig Holes: Make holes deep enough to accommodate the seedlings without crowding them. Water the holes before planting.
• Plant the Seedlings: Place each seedling in the hole, ensuring the soil level of the seedling matches the surrounding soil. Firm the soil around the base of each plant.
• Water Well: After transplanting, water thoroughly to help the seedlings settle in and prevent transplant shock.

Celery Utah

Caring for Your Celery Plants

Celery requires consistent care to grow strong and healthy. Here are some key tips for maintaining your plants throughout the growing season:

• Watering: Celery has high water needs, so keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
• Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool, especially in warmer weather.
• Blanching (Optional): For lighter, more tender stalks, you can blanch celery. To do this, mound soil or use a special celery blanching device around the base of the plant. This process blocks sunlight, reducing bitterness and creating a pale colour in the stalks.

Harvesting Celery

Celery is ready to harvest when the stalks are thick and crunchy, usually around 90-120 days after transplanting. You can either:

• Harvest Entire Plants: If you want to harvest the whole plant, cut the stalks at the base using a sharp knife.
• Harvest Stalk by Stalk: Alternatively, you can cut the outer stalks as needed, allowing the centre of the plant to continue growing.

Celery can tolerate light frosts, so you can continue harvesting into the fall if necessary. However, in regions with harsh winters, it’s best to harvest before the first hard frost.

 Celery Chinese Pink

Common Problems

Celery is generally a hardy plant, but there are a few common problems to watch out for:

• Pests: Aphids, snails, and slugs are common pests that can attack celery. To prevent infestations, regularly check your plants.
• Diseases: Celery is prone to fungal diseases like early blight or celery leaf spot. Ensure good air circulation by spacing your plants appropriately, and avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.
• Bolting: Celery may bolt if it experiences extreme heat or stress. If this happens, harvest whatever you can, as bolted celery tends to be bitter and tough.

Growing celery at home may take a bit of patience, but the reward is well worth the effort. With the right care and attention to detail, you can enjoy fresh, flavourful celery all season long. Whether you’re adding it to a soup, crunching on it as a snack, or making homemade juice, there’s nothing like the taste of homegrown produce. Happy growing!

Video – How to Sow and Grow Celery