Growing Celery

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A Cool-Season Crop That’s Packed With Crunch and Nutrients

Celery might be a kitchen staple, but it can also be a bit of a diva in the garden. Slow to germinate, sensitive to temperature swings, and fussy about moisture, celery requires consistent care—but the reward is worth it. Crisp, flavorful stalks fresh from your garden taste worlds better than store-bought varieties.

Whether you’re growing celery for its crunchy ribs, its aromatic leaves, or even its nutrient-dense seeds, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to succeed.

Why Grow Celery?

Celery is a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable packed with antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin K. It’s a classic ingredient in soups, stews, salads, and green juices—and its leaves can even be used as a flavorful herb.

Homegrown celery tends to have a stronger flavor and a more intense crunch than the bland, watery stalks from the grocery store. Plus, you’ll have access to the whole plant, including parts that are typically trimmed off commercially.

Popular Celery Varieties

There are three main types of celery to consider:

Pascal (Stalk) Celery

  • The most common type for crunchy stalks
  • Examples: ‘Tall Utah,’ ‘Giant Pascal’

Leaf (Cutting) Celery

  • Smaller, more tender stalks with flavorful leaves
  • Great for soups and garnishes
  • Example: ‘Amsterdam,’ ‘Chinese Celery’

Celeriac (Root Celery)

  • Grown for its knobby root rather than its stalks
  • Excellent roasted, mashed, or in soups
  • Example: ‘Brilliant,’ ‘Prinz’

When and Where to Grow Celery

Celery thrives in cool, mild weather and prefers a long growing season of around 120–150 days.

  • Temperature Range: 55°F to 70°F
  • Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours), though afternoon shade is helpful in hot climates
  • Soil: Moist, fertile, and well-draining
  • pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

Celery doesn’t tolerate drought, heat, or cold very well. For most growers, this means planting in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.

Starting Celery From Seed

Celery seeds are tiny and slow to germinate—so patience is key.

Indoors

  • Start seeds 10–12 weeks before your last frost date
  • Soak seeds in warm water overnight to encourage germination
  • Sow 1/8″ deep in seed trays filled with moistened seed-starting mix
  • Maintain soil temperatures around 70°F
  • Germination takes 14–21 days, sometimes longer
  • Provide consistent moisture and bright light

Once seedlings have 2–3 sets of true leaves, thin or transplant them into larger pots. Harden off young plants before moving them outside.

Transplanting Celery Outdoors

Celery is sensitive to transplant shock, so prepare the bed before planting and handle seedlings with care.

  • Timing: Transplant outdoors when soil is consistently above 50°F and there’s no risk of frost
  • Spacing: 8–10 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches apart
  • Soil Prep: Enrich beds with compost or well-rotted manure before planting
  • Watering in: Water deeply at planting time to help settle roots

Celery thrives with a steady supply of water and nutrients, so choose a location with easy irrigation access.

Watering and Feeding Requirements

Celery is extremely sensitive to drying out. Inconsistent watering leads to bitter, stringy, or hollow stalks.

  • Keep soil evenly moist at all times
  • Water deeply 2–3 times per week, depending on weather
  • Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and regulate temperature
  • Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks or top-dress with compost midseason

Avoid letting celery become waterlogged—raised beds or well-drained garden soil are ideal.

Blanching Celery for Tender Stalks (Optional)

To achieve the pale green or white stalks typical of supermarket celery, many gardeners blanch the plants. This simply means shielding the stalks from sunlight to reduce chlorophyll and bitterness.

How to Blanch:

  • Begin when stalks are about 12 inches tall
  • Wrap the base of the plant with newspaper, cardboard, or a tube made from milk jugs
  • Secure gently with twine
  • Harvest 2–3 weeks later

Note: Some modern celery varieties are self-blanching and don’t require this step.

Companion Planting and Crop Rotation

Celery does well with other moisture-loving vegetables.

Good companions:

  • Leeks and onions (help deter pests)
  • Carrots
  • Spinach
  • Cabbage family (shares similar growing needs)

Avoid planting near:

  • Corn (competes for space and water)
  • Potatoes (can stunt celery growth)

Crop Rotation:

Celery is prone to soil-borne diseases, so rotate out of Apiaceae family crops (like parsley and carrots) for 2–3 seasons.

Common Pests and Diseases

Pests:

  • Aphids: Remove with water spray or neem oil
  • Leaf miners: Cause white trails on leaves; remove infected parts
  • Slugs/snails: Use copper tape or diatomaceous earth
  • Carrot rust fly: Attracted to moist soil—use row covers

Diseases:

  • Fusarium wilt: Causes yellowing and wilting; no cure—remove infected plants
  • Celery mosaic virus: Spread by aphids; shows mottled or stunted growth
  • Black heart: A calcium deficiency; amend soil and ensure consistent watering

Harvesting Celery

Celery is typically ready to harvest 85–120 days after transplanting.

How to Harvest:

  • Harvest whole heads when stalks are 12–18 inches tall and tightly formed
  • Use a sharp knife to cut at the base just above the soil
  • For cut-and-come-again harvesting, trim outer stalks as needed, allowing the center to keep growing

Storing and Preserving Celery

  • Fresh: Wrap in foil or a damp cloth and store in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks
  • Freezing: Chop and blanch stalks for 3 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers
  • Drying: Dry leaves for use as seasoning in soups and stews
  • Juicing: Use within 24 hours or freeze in portions

Saving Celery Seeds

Celery is a biennial, so it won’t flower and set seed until its second year.

To Save Seeds:

  1. Let a few healthy plants overwinter
  2. In year two, allow them to flower and form seed heads
  3. Harvest seed heads when dry
  4. Crush and winnow to separate seeds
  5. Store in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years

Note: Avoid saving seeds from hybrid varieties if you want plants true to type.

Best Celery Varieties for Home Gardeners

  • ‘Tall Utah’ – Classic, reliable, and self-blanching
  • ‘Golden Pascal’ – Excellent flavor; good for blanching
  • ‘Tango’ – Tolerates heat and bolting
  • ‘Ventura’ – Performs well in a variety of climates
  • ‘Amsterdam’ (Leaf Celery) – Great for seasoning

Final Tips for Success

  • Celery needs attention—don’t let it dry out!
  • Start indoors early and transplant when soil is warm
  • Keep feeding regularly for strong stalks
  • Use mulch to conserve water and prevent weeds
  • Grow in blocks rather than single rows to help stalks support each other

Growing celery takes commitment, but once you get into the rhythm of feeding, watering, and blanching, you’ll be rewarded with flavorful, crisp stalks that store well and taste far better than store-bought. Whether you’re juicing it, tossing it into soup, or dicing it into stuffing, homegrown celery is a flavorful cornerstone of the organic kitchen garden.