Celery?

[sparkles2307]

Is it easy to grow? Does it need a lot more water than everything else? I started it from seed and have 3/4 inch tall seedlings... and I am not sure how celery can grow from these teeny fellas! I dont know how I should plant them in the garden...trenches?...holes?...

 

[Greensage45]

Hi,

I only have a limited experience with celery. It is preferable to plant during cooler temps because once the ground warms and spring begins to edge into the warmer days the celery begins to bolt (meaning flower). Once the celery flowers all of its parts become bitter.

I enjoy growing it much like I do with Cilantro or Parsley, where I pick leaf material for use in my recipes. I would say have fun and let the experiment begin; be sure and thin out the seedlings so that each seedling has room to spread its roots and get a thick stalk. If you get the slightest indication of the bloom spike you might need to cut it all immediately or do like I do and let it go to seed so that in the Fall you get more sprouting and subsequent plants. If you do get a Fall sprouting then this would be a great time to consider building a taller cold frame to keep out the freezing temps and possible snow and ice; this might allow you to get a good usable crop as well.

Celery is one of those plants where no two people have the same results (that is unless they are neighbors).

Goodluck, Enjoy!

Ron

ps, oh yes, the celery's roots are shallow, so plant them as you would any other leafy plant. Sounds like you have a bunch of seedlings so plant them here or there because they do have a nice light color and look rather ferny so will fill in your gaps.

 

[sparkles2307]

THank yoU! I had NO idea how to thin either, so youre very helpful!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

This is my first year growing celery as well.

From what I have read they are difficult because they like 3 things:
1. warm weather
2. moist soil
3. VERY rich soil

I believe you are not supposed to plant them outdoors until it is 70 degrees or so, but I can't remember since it looks like it will take us all summer to get that warm this year.

 

[sparkles2307]

Living in MN rich soil isnt a problem, we have that black velvety stuff and supplement it with 5 year old home grown cow manure...

 

[momofdrew]

I have tried celery and had trouble with the trenching and slugs...but boy where they sweeter than what you buy at the store...

 

[sparkles2307]

I dont think we have slugs here... in WA of course there were slugs everywhere, but out here in MN I have yet to see one in my garden... I have also not had Japanese beetles...must be lucky, hope I didnt jinx it!

 

[vfem]

I recently saw a article on celery and its a 'marsh'like plant. They suggested sink a bed into the ground that is about 6-8" deep. Add good compost and soil. Put in several PVC pipes cut that depth. Plant the celery at the bottom of the bed and start layering with more soil, leaves, compost and hay until its at the same depth as the bed. Then using your hose fill through each PVC pipe to create a lot of moisture at the bottom of the bed.

There were other suggestions as well... I should go reread it. I just glanced through really quickly.

 

[digitS']

For me, celery was a bit of an embarrassment - cheap in the stores, so why did I have so much trouble with it in the garden ?? My gardens are anything but "marsh-like."

A few years ago, I began growing celeriac (celery root). I need to start it in the greenhouse but, otherwise, it doesn't require much more than a full season in the sun, water, and fertilizer - for nice big roots. The tops can be used also.

The roots aren't the prettiest things . . . but, the flavor is wonderful, especially in mashed potatoes! And, I've still got some from 2008! They've got a good storage life.

Steve

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Good tip, vfem. It makes me think that if it is considered a "marsh-like" plant that it would benefit in some areas being planted in a bed that has been lined with plastic with holes punctured in a few places at the bottom, which is how you make a bog garden and which is also supposed to be good for plants that like a LOT of moisture. I may actually try this, as our soil is extremely sandy.

Thanks for the tip about celeriac, Steve. You've gotta love a veggie that stores that long! Do you have a root cellar or did you just put them in buckets of wet sand? I imagine in a fridge they would start to dry out after that long?