How to Grow Celery at Home
A relative of carrots, fennel and dill, celery is a beneficial plant to have in a home garden. The entire celery plant, including the roots, stalks and leaves can be used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Celery is notoriously troublesome to grow, especially when started from seed, so it's important to be aware of its exact needs to ensure the best shot at a successful harvest. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Fill a planting tray with potting soil 12 weeks before the last expected frost of the year. Use a tray with separate planting cells to make the transplant process less of a hassle.
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Place three to five celery seeds in each planting cell and cover them lightly with soil. Spritz the soil with water until moist.
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Put the planting tray in a sunny window until the seeds germinate, usually no more than three weeks. Thin each planting cell to one seedling. Keep the tray indoors between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit until the outdoor temperatures stay above 40 degrees for at least a week.
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Choose a sunny spot to plant the celery outdoors and prepare the soil. Add 2 inches of compost and 2 lbs. of a complete fertilizer (16-16-8) per 100 sq. ft. to the chosen planting site. Mix in the compost and fertilizer with the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.
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Space each transplant between 12 inches apart, with each row spaced 24 inches apart. According to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension, tight planting forces tall growth.
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Apply mulch around the celery plants to limit competition from weeds. Plastic mulch or natural wood mulches can be used. Plastic mulch is beneficial as it's lighter in weight and retains moisture, heat and fertilizer more effectively than wood mulches.
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Add at least 1 to 2 inches of water to the soil per week to encourage healthy celery plants. Celery is native to wetland regions, so over-watering typically isn't a problem; however, do not allow the soil to become soggy or muddy. Drip irrigation systems can make watering celery easier and is recommended; however, it can be expensive to install.
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Apply additional fertilizer at a rate of 2 lbs. per 100 sq. ft., six weeks after you transplant the seedlings. Apply the fertilizer between the rows of celery, rather than directly on the plants. Apply a nitrogen fertilizer at a half lb. per 100 sq. ft., four weeks after this.
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Harvest the celery once the stalks are at least 12 inches in length.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant the celery in middle to late summer if you live in a hardiness zone 8, 9 or 10.
Control aphids on celery plants with insecticidal soap.
Control powdery mildew with a fungicide made especially for gardens.
Control black heart, a disease that causes leaves to die and turn black, with a calcium spray.
References
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