Celery is a cool-season crop. It grows best where daytime temperatures are consistently greater than 55°F (13°C) but not consistently warmer than 80°F (26°C). Where temperatures are very warm, celery will grow stringy; where temperatures fall below 50°F, celery will send up flower stalks and become bitter flavored. Start celery indoors 14 to 6 weeks…
Celery
How to Harvest and Store Celery
When to Harvest Celery: Harvest celery as soon as the stalks are big enough to use—about 6 inches (15 cm) or more long from the soil line to the first leaf. Cut off individual stalks or slice off the whole plant at or just below the soil line. The inner stalks are the most tender…
Celery Growing Problems: Troubleshooting
Celery requires plenty of moisture, fertile soil, and a long, cool growing season. You can start celery from seed, but germination is slow, about four weeks. Sow seeds indoors at least 10 weeks before seedlings are to be set out. A better plan might be to purchase celery starts when you are ready to plant….
How to Grow Celery
Celery is a cool-weather crop. It requires 16 weeks of cool weather to come to harvest. Start celery seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in spring. Set transplants in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date when seedlings have 5 to 6 leaves. In cool spring…
Celery: Kitchen Basics
Here’s a formula for getting the most out of a bunch of celery: Trim off the leafy top and set it aside for flavoring soups or stock or for use in salads. Remove and dice the coarse outer ribs then combine them with diced carrots and onions and herbs to make mirepoix—a tasty seasoning for…
Local Celery
Can you remember what you were doing 4 months ago today? Well, if you are a bunch of celery, you were probably just getting your start on life, germinating as a little seed. And today, you are ready to make an appearance on a snack tray, in a salad or a soup. Most varieties of…