{"id":10800,"date":"2020-02-20T00:41:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T14:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardens.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/?p=10800"},"modified":"2025-10-30T21:16:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T11:16:02","slug":"the-basics-of-growing-celery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/gardens\/2020\/02\/20\/the-basics-of-growing-celery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basics of Growing Celery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Celery
Celery favors cooler weather, rich and fertile soil, and ample water to grow crisp and juicy. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Celery is popular for its many health benefits, versatility, and delicious crunch, but it\u2019s not a backyard winter garden staple. That\u2019s because most gardeners find the plant difficult to grow – and that\u2019s a shame. Celery grown in the garden has longer stalks ending in lush, leafy tops that can be juiced or diced and added to stews, stir-fry dishes, and soups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is also the fact that commercial celery is one of the most pesticide-laden crops you\u2019ll find on supermarket shelves. So, not only is garden celery better tasting, but it\u2019s also it\u2019s a good deal less toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celery favors cooler weather, rich and fertile soil, and ample water to grow crisp and juicy. Because the plant requires a long growing season, first-time planters are probably better off starting them from seedlings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing\nCelery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\ncan plant the seedlings in the ground or in a large pot. Celery roots range\nfrom 18 to 24 inches, according to a guide prepared by the University of\nCalifornia Cooperative Extension for Los Angeles County. That means you\u2019ll need\na deep container. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For\nany vegetable, find the optimum depth and then add another 4 inches to the pot\nso the roots have some room to grow, says Yvonne Savio, creator of the blog,\nGardening in LA. You don\u2019t want the roots pushing against the sides of the pot.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally,\nchoose a location exposed to moderate sunlight. Celery will not endure high\nsummer temperatures, but the vegetable needs at least four to six hours of sun\ndaily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Because
Because the plant requires a long growing season, first-time planters are probably better off starting them from seedlings. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Soil\nPreparation and Planting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery prefers soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Conduct a soil test if you\u2019re not sure of your soil pH. Savio recommends spreading 1 to 2 inches each of compost and cow or steer manure, topped with an inch or so coffee grounds. You don\u2019t need to dig the amendments into the soil. You can just scratch them in a few inches deep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts agree that you should let the amended soil \u201ccook\u201d for a week or so before planting. Fresh amendments, especially manures, initially raise the soil temperature. The heat can burn tender seedling roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re using a pot, mix two-thirds good potting soil with one-third equal mixture of compost and manure. You would do well to top the mixture off with a cup or two of coffee grounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\ncan start planting your celery seedlings outside once temperatures reach 10\u00b0\ncelsius, according to the Old Farmer\u2019s Almanac. Plant the seedlings 8 to 10\ninches apart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Water\nWorks!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Celery needs water to grow straight, sweet, and tall. So, keep the soil moist. A rainy winter can often provide sufficient moisture, but be vigilant. Dip your finger 3 inches into the soil and if it feels dry, water or else buy a soil meter to measure soil moisture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce the weather starts getting hot, your celery will start producing seeds and turn bitter, much the way that lettuce bolts in the heat,\u201d Savio says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If\nyour celery starts tasting \u201clike turpentine\u201d or the stalks turn wobbly, they\nrequire more water. If there\u2019s no rain, you can water your plot deeply just once\na week in the winter. That is if your soil holds water well. Otherwise, your\ngarden will need more frequent watering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Celery
Celery needs water to grow straight, sweet, and tall. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A\nHarvest of Healthy Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once\nyour plant has eight to 10 good-size stalks – usually within four to six weeks –\nyou can start harvesting. Snap off stalks at the base, from the outside.\nCutting can damage the plant and weaken it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health experts will swear by the almost miraculous healing properties of celery. The vegetable prevents cancer and inflammation, detoxifies the liver, lowers the blood pressure. A glass of fresh celery juice in the morning also gives you more energy throughout the day, among others.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your plants will grow new stalks until they go to seed. You can expect to keep harvesting celery well into the spring. If you let your plants go to seed, you\u2019ll one day wake to a final beautiful display of delicate white celery flowers in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick video\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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