Celery
Apium graveolens
Learn how to care for celery along with its history and classification details.
Hardiness Zone: 4-10
Soil Type: Neutral
Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
Annual or Perennial: Biennial
Type: Vegetable
History: Wild celery is native to the Mediterranean area, according to Davis, though archaeological remains from Switzerland have suggested that humans were transporting celery seeds as early as 4,000 B.C. Another variety of celery called “smallage” was present in China as early as the 5th century.
Greeks considered celery to symbolize death and victory, with funerals being decked out with celery.
How to Care for Celery
Common questions and details on how to care for celery.
How do I plant celery?
Sow tiny celery seeds carefully and lightly cover them over.
Plant celery in moisture retentive soil and keep it well watered.
Choose between trenching celery and self-blanching varieties.
Pick individual stems or whole heads of celery.
When is the best time to plant?
For a spring crop, start seeds 10 to 12 weeks before your last spring frost date. For a fall crop, start seeds in time to transplant seedlings 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost date.
How do I propagate celery?
Cut off the end. Slice about 2 inches off the root end of a bunch of celery. Place in water. Set the celery in a shallow glass bowl or jar. Watch it grow. After a few days, you should start seeing small leaves emerging from the very center of the top. Replant in soil.
Can I grow celery in a pot?
Yes, you can grow celery in a pot.
How much should I water celery?
Celery likes to have constant water.
How do I care for celery with fertilizer?
Celery prefer to be fertilized infrequently.
When do celery bloom?
Celery will bloom between 120 – 130 days after planting.
How do I know when celery is ripe?
Measure the length of the stalks. If they’re at least six inches long from the base of the stalk to the first leaf, they’re probably harvest-ready.
What is the best way to store celery?
Keep celery heads whole, wrap them up tightly in aluminum foil, and then keep them in the refrigerator crisper drawer as usual. When stored this way, celery stalks can maintain their freshness anywhere from two to four weeks.
Is celery a fruit or a vegetable?
Celery is a vegetable.
Should I plant any companion plants?
Celery grow well with bush and pole beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, spinach, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
What are the health benefits of the celery?
Celery has been shown to reduce instances of inflammation in the digestive tract, cells, blood vessels, and organs.
Lentil and chicken soup with sweet potatoes and escoarole
In an hour and a half you can make this hearty soup.
I’m afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery.
~Aldous Huxley