Celery is a cool-weather crop that is native to the Mediterranean area.
HOW TO PLANT CELERY
Celery is best grown in well-drained soil with full sun and a soil pH range of 5.8 through 6.8.
They can be sown straight into the soil after the last frost or as I prefer they can be started 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost indoors using a cardboard seed starting tray.
When transplanting the seedlings that are started early, it is best to wait until they have at least 3 sets of mature leaves with a healthy root system.
They are best planted in rows that are about 2 feet apart, about 1 foot apart in the row, and about one-eighth of an inch deep.
FERTILIZING AND WATERING
To avoid any possible issues of over-fertilizing your celery, you should test your soil before adding any fertilizers.
Celery is best fertilized every two weeks with a balanced granular fertilizer such as 4-4-8, or a homemade liquid fertilizer.
They prefer soil that is consistently moist but not soaked and they will require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
HARVESTING
Celery is ready for harvest when the first leaf is about 6 inches above the base of the plant.
Harvesting can be done by removing the outer stalks with a sterilized pair of gardening shears or a gardening knife.
This will allow the inner stalks to continue to grow.
Another option is to harvest the whole plant by removing it from the ground and cutting away the roots from the plant.
After harvesting, they should be rinsed, allowed to dry, and they will last in the refrigerator for about 4 weeks.
PROPAGATING
Celery is propagated through seed, therefore some plants should be allowed to go to seed for the following season.
PESTS
Celery has few pests that feed on them but using natural methods such as attracting predators and using natural insecticides such as essential oils, diatomaceous earth, or insecticidal soap will keep your pest control organic.
- Aphids
- Cutworms
- Slugs
- Snails
- Leafminer
- Beet armyworm
- Cabbage loopers
- Nematodes
DISEASES
Celery that is planted close together can develop mold and mildew issues during times of high humidity.
If this is the case then preventive measures may need to be taken.
- Bacterial leafspot
- Aster yellows
- Fusarium yellows
- Crater rot
- Late blight
- Early blight
- Pink rot
VIRUSES
Plant viruses are caused by pests causing damage to a plant, therefore good pest management is a must.
- Celery mosaic virus
- Cucumber mosaic virus
- Tomato spotted wilt virus
- Apium virus y
VARIETIES
There are three types of celery with each type having many different varieties: celeriac, green or pascal celery, and yellow or self-blanching celery.
Some varieties are heirloom varieties and other are hybrid varieties that have been bred to deal with plant diseases and warmer temperatures.
PASCAL CELERY
Pascal celery is an heirloom variety that produces large and thick stems with ribs.
- Plant spacing – about 1 foot apart
- Days to germinate – about 20 days
- Days to harvest – about 130 days
RED CELERY
Red celery is an heirloom variety that is a cool-weather crop.
- Plant spacing – about 1 foot apart
- Days to germinate – about 20 days
- Days to harvest – about 140 days
GOLDEN SELF-BLANCHING CELERY
Golden heart celery is an heirloom variety that has a golden yellow center and is a good choice for small gardeners because of the dense growth of stalks.
- Plant spacing – about 1 foot apart
- Days to germinate – about 20 days
- Days to harvest – about 130 days
- Also known as – golden heart celery