Anyone Ever Grown Celery In A Home Garden??

habitat_gardener · August 22, 2011

I've planted celery from 6-packs a couple previous years. I was able to successfully harvest a stalk at a time (a small leafy stalk) while pulling off the many slug-damaged stalks, and then in the spring all of a sudden they bolted before I noticed. Since then they've reseeded in my garden, and I let them be and go to seed for the beneficial insects. If I'm at the garden at a propitious hour, sometimes I can harvest an undamaged stalk.

This year I wanted to try red-stemmed celery, so I grew some Redventure. Germination was excellent! I divided one of the small clumps into about 35 plants and finally planted them out a couple weeks ago. I don't water every day, but I mulch well, and so far most of them look good, especially the ones that are not in full sun.

None of the local/regional gardening books say anything useful (encouraging) about growing celery. THe local master gardeners had a presentation on winter veg growing and did not talk about celery, so I asked what the secret is, and the presenter said it was too difficult for her so she just buys it.

Other plants I've tried are Chinese celery (leafier and intended for cooking, also reseeds) and lovage (an herb that tastes a little like celery, also for cooking, but perennial so it comes back every year).

August 22, 2011	#16
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	I've planted celery from 6-packs a couple previous years. I was able to successfully harvest a stalk at a time (a small leafy stalk) while pulling off the many slug-damaged stalks, and then in the spring all of a sudden they bolted before I noticed. Since then they've reseeded in my garden, and I let them be and go to seed for the beneficial insects. If I'm at the garden at a propitious hour, sometimes I can harvest an undamaged stalk. This year I wanted to try red-stemmed celery, so I grew some Redventure. Germination was excellent! I divided one of the small clumps into about 35 plants and finally planted them out a couple weeks ago. I don't water every day, but I mulch well, and so far most of them look good, especially the ones that are not in full sun. None of the local/regional gardening books say anything useful (encouraging) about growing celery. THe local master gardeners had a presentation on winter veg growing and did not talk about celery, so I asked what the secret is, and the presenter said it was too difficult for her so she just buys it. Other plants I've tried are Chinese celery (leafier and intended for cooking, also reseeds) and lovage (an herb that tastes a little like celery, also for cooking, but perennial so it comes back every year).