Do you ever buy a whole bunch of celery from the grocers, only to use a few stalks? Why not grow your own? You can harvest as many or as little as you please over two or three months. Perfect for use in salads, soups, stews or raw snacks – dipped with hommus, yum! It does take a little time and care, but once you have that right, it will be the plant that gives on giving.


How to grow celery in a garden

  1. Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sprinkle seeds over mix, lightly cover and gently water. Keep the soil moist throughout germination – this can take up to 2-3 weeks or longer in cooler conditions.
  2. While the seeds are germinating, choose a sunny spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood Bone with Seaweed.
  3. Once seedlings reach 10cm tall, thin and discard weak seedlings, leaving the healthiest. Transplant into the garden bed, spacing 30-40cm, water in with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate and mulch well with an organic mulch, like pea or lucerne straw.
  4. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate and harvest whole or break off individual stalks as you need them – this helps extend the harvest season. 

     


How to grow celery in a pot

  1. Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun and protect from strong winds.
  2. Fill starter trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sprinkle seeds over mix, lightly cover and gently water. Keep the soil moist throughout germination – this can take up to 2-3 weeks or longer in cooler conditions.
  3. Once seedlings reach 10cm tall, fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix. Transplant seedling into pot and water in well with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
  4. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate and harvest whole or break off individual stalks as you need them – this helps extend the harvest season.

Yates varieties

Celery Green Crunch

A crisp and crunchy popular salad variety. Long stringless stalks which can be harvested as desired. Can be used in soups and salads, or with dips.

Growing tips

  • Celery seedlings don’t like having their roots disturbed so handle them with care and try to keep a small amount of mix intact around the roots.

  • For green celery, simple pick outside stems with a sideways pull to break them off at ground level.

  • Celery plants can be ‘blanched’ three to four weeks before harvesting by wrapping black polythene or thick newspaper around the stems from ground level to about 40cm high. The stalks will pale and be ready in 2-3 weeks.

  • Keep plants well watered and fed to avoid stress, otherwise you will end up with dry, fibrous stalks.  

  • To maximise growing space in a pot, try sowing baby lettuce or microgreens around the celery. Take care not to overcrowd as the plants will compete for nutrients. 



More Plants

Beans

Beans are so rewarding to grow. And if you give them the right conditions, they will happily grow in the garden or in large pots.

Taro

Taro is a versatile vegetable and is a staple of many Pacific countries. The corms are white with a purple tint, starchy and easy to digest, making it a great substitute for potato.

Kūmara

Here's how to grow kūmara in your garden, or in pots if you live in the cooler parts of the country.

Onion

They may make you cry, but onions are worth the tears! They can impart such a sweet or savoury flavour to your dishes, depending on how they’re used.

Recommended products

Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix

Specially formulated for trouble-free seed raising in trays (or outdoor seed sowing direclty into the ground) and propagation of cuttings.

Yates Premium Potting Mix

A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.