How to grow Celery?
- Latin Family: Apiaceae
- Latin Genus: Apium
- Ease of Growing: Difficult
- Growing Type: Biennial
Celery is notorious among home gardeners as being one of the hardest crops to grow well and it definitely isn't for the beginner. It is very particular about its requirements and must have all the nutrients it needs for fast, uninterrupted growth. It also needs a constant supply of moisture and a long period of cool weather. Celery is said to be even harder to grow organically and to be a true test of the organic gardeners skill.
There are three distinct types of celery grown as crops. Stalk Celery is the most familiar to us, in fact it is the only one most of us even recognize. There is also Root Celery, usually known as Celeriac, which is popular in Eastern Europe. Lastly there is Leaf Celery (sometimes knows as Chinese Celery), which is the type most commonly used in Asia.
Celery History
This cool weather biennial is native to Europe and has been used as food at least since the time of the Romans (though this was probably Leaf Celery). Leaf Celery has been used in Asia for centuries as well, and there is evidence that Wild Celery was used in cooking and rituals in ancient Greece and Egypt.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.3 - 6.5
Wild Celery grows naturally near water and this is reflected in the plants preference for a rich, deep, moist (but not wet), fairly acid soil, with lots of organic matter. It is a hungry crop, requiring a lot of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Add lime if the soil is acidic.
How to care for Celery?
Celery must be planned carefully, because it takes a long time to grow to maturity from seed and then you get a large crop all at one time. It is possible to sow it in succession, but this is even more complicated.
Celery needs a long period (3 months) of cool temperatures (60 to 70 degree F) for optimal quality. Temperatures above 80 degrees F may make it fibrous and very strongly flavored.
Water
Consistent watering is the single most important factor in growing good celery, the soil should never be allowed to dry out. This may mean watering daily in dry weather, though every other day is more usual.
Water is particularly critical as harvest time approaches, because this is the time of fastest growth (plants may double in size in their last month). Lack of water at this time can result in bitter, pungent, stringy plants with hollow stems.
The best way to water celery is with a drip system or soaker hose.
Fertilizer
Celery is a hungry plant that needs lots of nitrogen to produce its succulent growth. If the soil is poor, feed with compost tea or liquid kelp weekly.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 3 - 5 years
Germination Percentage: 55.0
Celery is a biennial and doesn't produce flowers until its second spring (it sometimes produces flowers prematurely in its first year, but you don't want to save seed from those plants). The biggest problem with saving the seed is just getting the plants to survive the winter. In mild areas they will usually do this in the ground, perhaps under a mulch to protect them from frost. In very cold areas, they will have to be dug up and stored in a root cellar until spring (See Storage).
Celery flowers in the spring of its second year. The plants are cross-pollinated by insects, which makes it hard to save more than one variety at a time (unless you isolate the plants by 1000 feet or more). Save the seed from at least 6 plants to ensure genetic variability. When most of the seed is ripe on the plant, cut the entire head and dry it in a paper bag. Be aware that some fungal diseases can be seed borne.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Celery doesn't like heat or intense sun and in hot climates will do better in light shade. It does need at least 6 hours of sun daily though.
Conditions:Cool
Season:Long Season
Storage
Celery can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 7-14 days
Celery can be dried but must be blanched first. Boil stalks for 1 minute and then place in cold or even ice water. Slice into 1/4" squares and dry at 130 to 140˚ F. In roughly 5 or 6 hours the celery should be crispy. Let it cool down for 15 minutes. Place in airtight containers and store in a dark cool location.
Storage Req: Cool, Dry, Drying
Storage Temp: 55-70°F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Problems
Maturation problems
The month before harvest is the most critical time for Celery growers, as the plants are growing very rapidly. They are prone to attacks by fungus disease, or they may bolt prematurely.
Celery Types
- Leaf
- Celery
As the name suggests this type of celery is grown for its leaves, rather than the stems or roots. It is almost identical to Wild Celery and has the vigor of a wild plant. It is the easiest of all celery varieties to grow, so long as it gets ample water. Leaf Celery is very popular in China, where it is grown as a flavoring for soups and many other dishes.
Celery is an upright, compact plant and doesn't take up a lot of space (which is good, as it is in the ground for quite a long time).
Pests
- Deer
- Carrot Rust Fly
- Gophers
- Leafminers
- Rats and Mice
- Slugs and snails
- Birds
- Crickets and Grasshoppers
- Tarnished Plant Bug
Diseases
- Boron
- Rust
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Damping Off
Related Plants
Greens, Juicing
Sprouts
Seacale
Kohlrabi
Collards
Anise
Caraway
Cumin
Cauliflower
Culantro