Growing celery at home can be rewarding, as you’ll have fresh, crisp stalks right at your fingertips. Here’s a guide on how to grow celery at home and how to plant celery in containers:
How to Grow Celery at Home:
1. Starting Celery Seeds:
- Celery seeds are tiny and need to be started indoors about 10-12 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
- Plant seeds in small pots filled with seed-starting mix, barely covering them with soil. Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Place the pots in a warm, sunny location or under grow lights. Celery seeds require light to germinate.
- Once the seedlings have developed several true leaves, they can be transplanted into larger containers or outdoors.
2. Preparing the Garden Bed:
- Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Celery prefers cool, moist conditions.
- Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and moisture retention.
3. Transplanting Seedlings:
- When the seedlings are 8-10 weeks old and have reached a height of about 4-6 inches, they can be transplanted outdoors.
- Space the seedlings 8-10 inches apart in rows, with rows spaced 18-24 inches apart.
4. Care and Maintenance:
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Celery requires regular watering, especially during dry periods.
- Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilize the plants every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, or use a side-dressing of compost.
- Blanch the stalks by wrapping them with cardboard or paper towel rolls about 2 weeks before harvest to reduce bitterness and increase tenderness.
5. Harvesting:
- Celery stalks are ready to harvest when they are firm, crisp, and about 8-10 inches tall.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the stalks at the base of the plant, being careful not to damage the crown.
How to Plant Celery in Containers:
1. Choosing a Container:
- Select a deep container that is at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the long roots of celery.
- Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
2. Planting:
- Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost.
- Plant celery seedlings at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots, spacing them 8-10 inches apart.
3. Care and Maintenance:
- Place the container in a location with full sun to partial shade.
- Keep the soil consistently moist by watering regularly, especially during hot weather.
- Fertilize the plants every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea.
- Provide support for the plants if necessary to prevent them from flopping over as they grow.
4. Harvesting:
- Harvest celery stalks as needed when they reach a height of 8-10 inches and are firm and crisp.
- Cut the stalks at the base of the plant using a sharp knife or scissors.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow celery at home either in your garden bed or in containers, providing you with fresh, flavorful stalks to enjoy in your culinary creations.