moonGROW - Organic gardening by the moon and zodiac signs

Vegetable Planting Guide - Planting, cultivating and harvesting your favorite vegetables.

CELERY (Apium graveolens)

Full Sun
Requires six hours or more
of strong, direct sun per day.

Part Shade
Requires two to six hours
of direct sun per day.

Celery growing and culture

Celery is often thought to be difficult to grow but in reality it is no harder to grow than tomatoes. This is especially true if a few simple precautions are taken and you remain vigilant.

Celery is an especially heavy feeder, requiring high amounts of organic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as certain key minor nutrients. These nutrients can be readily supplied by the organic gardener. Also, observing the proper moon phase when planting Celery will promote successful growth.

Planting Celery

Victory Garden

Grow your own

For best results, celery seeds should be started indoors in flats or trays eight to ten weeks before planting outdoors and when the moon phase is correct. (See: Moon Phase Planting Guide) Fall or winter crops are also started in flats or cold frames, rather than in rows where it will grow. Scatter seed in neat rows approximately one inch apart, and cover them with a fine layer of sand. Soil should be composed of a mixture of two-thirds mature compost and one-third clean, washed sand.

Beneficial companion plants

Plants that are benificial to celery for both growth and insect control are leeks, tomatoes, bush beans, cauliflower and cabbage.. For information on other vegetable companion plants see the companion planting chart.

Watering and transplanting your seedlings

Watering can be done from the bottom by immersing the tray in a container of water. Good ventilation, cool temperatures and good drainage should produce healthy plants which will not succumb to damping-off. When seeds and transplants reach a height of three to four inches, they should be transplanted to another flat and spaced three inches apart. Transplant seedlings when approximately six inches tall, the plants are then ready to be set out in the garden. Be sure all danger of frost is past before transplanting seedlings outdoors.

Preparing the garden soil for Celery

At least a week before setting the young plants out, soil preparation should begin and the ground should be properly prepared to permit the settling of the soil. Add nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers, plus lime, if necessary.

This mixture should then be deeply dug in and the soil worked to a depth of 14 inches. If you prepare the soil during very dry weather, it is advisable to follow the digging by a thorough drenching. In any event the soil should be supplied with sufficient water to penetrate several inches a couple of days before the setting out of the plants.

Celery is a heavy feeder that needs a steady and quick growth. If the supply of compost material is low, rotted poultry, stable or sheep manure comes in handy provided it is well incorporated in the soil before the setting out of the plants. Moisture is essential as well as the use of organic fertilizers.

Setting out Celery transplants

The plants should be set out in the garden six inches apart, in rows at least two feet apart. Care should be taken to see that they are not set deeper than they stood in the flat. They should be well watered during and immediately following transplanting.

Another effective method of planting celery is in circles of eight plants each. A small hole is dug in the center of the circle, into which is placed compost and manure fertilizer. As the celery stalks grow, their leaves shade the moist center hole, thereby preventing the loss of much needed moisture and plant nutrients.

Moon phase planting of Celery

If you are gardening by moon phases Celery should be planted when the moon is in the 2nd Quarter (i.e. waxing) and in one of the following Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

The culture and care of Celery

A heavy mulch is needed to preserve moisture in the celery patch. Manure water should be applied liberally every ten days or so. Frequent watering is necessary for productive celery growth. Should cold weather threaten, dry straw or hay can be used to protect the plants.

Blanching celery

To blanch celery, wrap heavy paper, such as newspaper, around the stalks when the plants are 18 inches high, allowing six inches of leaves to protrude from the top. Tie the paper securely around the stalks and bank soil around the base of the plant to exclude light from below.

Boards may be used for summer blanching, if available. Place the boards next to the plants on each side, working them into the soil. Drive stakes into the soil on the outside of the boards to prevent their falling over. Boards may also be used to blanch winter crops. However, by simply hilling soil around the celery stalks, leaving only leaves exposed, the same effect can be achieved.

Harvesting Celery

Celery which is to be used immediately should be cut below the soil surface. If you are planning to store the harvest, remove the celery and its roots and store it in a cool cellar, in boxes, covered with straw. Plants may also be stored in boxes set in deep pits in the ground. Simply cover them with a layer of straw to retain humidity.

See: Harvesting and Preservation - Harvest and preserve your bounty by following the moon and stars

Enemies of Celery

Damping-off is the greatest danger affecting celery plants during hot, humid weather. It is best to protect plants with some shading device to prevent this problem. Aphids can also affect crop yields of celery. Careful weeding should minimize an infestation.

See: Organic Insect Control - Create a natural balance in your garden to control pests

Varieties of Celery

Tall Fordhook Tendercrisp is great for winter storage. Burpee's Golden Self-Blanching matures in 115 days to produce a delicious, yellow vegetable.


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