How to Grow Celery: from Seed to Harvest

Celery is the perfect solution for those wanting a refreshing and healthy snack while trying to lose weight. Celery is a plant that’s high in water and fiber content, so it’s low in calories. The leaves of celery can also be eaten raw, used in soups, or made into celery juice.

Celery is a plant that takes a long time to grow, usually up to 5 months. To ensure proper growth of this plant, add manure fertilizer or organic compost to the soil before planting seedlings. The germination rate of celery is low too, so try to sow at least 5 celery seeds per furrow, with at least a few inches apart between stations and an inch deep. It takes about 12 to 14 days for the celery to germinate, and you’ll have better results if the temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature plays a big role in growing celery since it does not grow well during hard frosts and very hot weather. As soon as the plant is five to six weeks old, it will be about three inches tall. Start planting it out and maintain a spacing of at least 6 inches in between the seedlings.

Retaining soil moisture is essential in the growth of celery. There are several ways to make sure that the soil is kept moist. You can do this by adding mulch, organic compost or manure to the soil. Moreover, you need to make sure that the plants are watered regularly, especially during the warm months. If not well taken care of, chances are it will become tough and stringy and not suitable for eating raw.

Direct sunlight and weeds can affect the growth of celery. If there are weeds surrounding the plant, they must be removed immediately; otherwise, the water and nutrients will be shared between the plant and weeds. Direct sunlight should be avoided to remove the bitter flavor and keep the color of the stalks paler; this is done through a process called blanching. The blanching process uses mulch and it should be done when the stalks are about to develop fully. This usually takes place a month before the scheduled harvesting.

Aside from weeds, there are also a few pests than can cause problems for your plants. This includes celery flies, aphids, and slugs. One solution to get rid of these pests is to mix a solution of alcohol and soapy water, spraying this solution onto the leaves.

Celery is ready for harvest simply upon reaching the size desired. There are two ways to harvest the celery. The first option is to cut it off in one piece, keeping the stalks together. You can do this by cutting the celery just above the soil line. The next option is to cut out some of the outer stalks while leaving the inner and smaller stalks and letting it grow more. After harvesting, wash it in cold water, let it dry and store in the fridge. Properly stored celery can last two weeks. Be careful not to damage the plant during the harvesting process. Remember that you waited months to complete this process.

And if you’re interested in more information, check out these tips to help you grow celery in your own garden.