General
Celery is a refreshing treat from the garden. Children love the stalks with some natural peanut butter. Celery is also great when juiced. Celeriac is a variety of celery that is grown for its root, which can be used in a variety of culinary dishes. You can steam, bake, boil, puree or stir-fry this delicious root -- the possibilities are endless! You may also opt to store the root in a cool and dry area of your home. On the Coast, consider growing for picking in the fall and early winter.
Latin
Apium graveolens.
Apiaceae family.
Difficulty
Moderately difficult.
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season.
Exposure: Full-sun preferred. Partial-shade tolerated.
Zone: Unknown.
Planting Seeds
Start your seeds indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Place several seeds per cell. Light is required for the seeds to germinate, so don't cover the seed with too much soil (or plant the seeds too deeply into the soil). 50 percent germination is the average germination rate for this crop.
Usual seed life: 3 years.
Keep the soil moist and warm (about 70º F to 75º F) until seeds germinate in 2 to 3 weeks. After germination, grow indoors in a cool area (about 60º F to 70º F). Thin plants to one per cell. Keep transplants very moist.
Preparing Soil
This plant prefers rich soil, high in organic matter with pH 6.0 to 7.0, and plenty of consistent moisture. Damp soil and less-than-ideal conditions are tolerated. Celery is a heavy feeder and needs rich, moist soil. Add compost to soil and band 1/4-1/2 cup complete organic fertilizer per 1.5m (5') of row.
Planting
Set out transplants 15-20cm (6 to 8") apart, in rows about 60-90cm (2-3') apart, about 2 weeks after the last frost. These plants will tolerate light to moderate frosts. Be mindful to plant transplants after a cold weather spell, as the coldness can cause the plant to bolt. Keep the planting area well mulched to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Irrigate regularly to keep soil moist.
Diseases & Pests
Use floating row covers early in the season, and put up collars if cutworms are present.
Pests: Aphids, Whiteflies, Cutworms, Tarnished plant bug, and Cabbage loopers.
Diseases: Celery mosaic, Leaf blight, Black heart (calcium deficiency: add lime).
Harvest
For best flavour and longer storage, water plants the day before harvest. Stalks on the outside of the plant can be harvested at any time. The entire plant may be harvested once the desired size is reached, but for the home gardener, leave the plant in the garden and take what you need, leaving the root intact. If winter is not too cold, celery will stand in the garden until spring, allowing for light pickings for soups and salads. Celery has a maturity of 100-120 days.
Companion Plants
Bush Beans, Cabbage family, Nasturtium, Onion family, Spinach, Tomato.
