Celery

Why Grow Tall Utah Celery?

What Is Celery?

Celery is a leafy vegetable in the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrot, parsley, parsnip, coriander and fennel. Stalk celery is grown for the crisp leaf stems that form around the centre of the plant.

The edible celery “stalk” is technically an enlarged leaf stalk or petiole rather than a botanical stem. Each stalk supports a group of aromatic leaves at its upper end.

Celery plants generally produce:

What Is Tall Utah Celery?

Tall Utah is a traditional open-pollinated stalk-celery variety valued for its upright habit, dark-green colour, crisp texture and dependable celery flavour.

The variety is primarily grown for:

• Tall fresh celery stalks
• Complete celery bunches
• Progressive outside-stalk harvesting
• Fresh vegetable sticks and salads
• Soups, stocks and stews
• Market-garden and household production

Tall Utah is not a celeriac or specialist cutting-celery variety. Although its leaves are edible and aromatic, the variety is selected principally for its substantial stalks.

Stalk Celery, Leaf Celery and Celeriac

Celery crops can be divided according to the plant part selected for harvest.

Celery vs Celeriac

Celery and celeriac belong to the same species but are different horticultural crop types.

Are Celery Leaves Edible?

Yes. Celery leaves are edible and have a concentrated celery flavour.

The pale inner leaves are generally more tender, while the darker outside leaves have a stronger, more herbaceous flavour.

Celery leaves can be:

• Added to stocks and broths
• Chopped into soups and stews
• Mixed into salads
• Used in sauces and dressings
• Added to egg dishes
• Blended into pesto or herb sauces
• Dried for seasoning
• Used as a fresh garnish

Wash the leaves thoroughly and remove yellow, damaged or heavily soiled foliage before use.

Celery Leaves vs Celery Stalks

The leaves and stalks come from the same plant but provide different textures and flavour intensity.

What Does Celery Taste Like?

Celery has a fresh, savoury and slightly herbal flavour with mild peppery, grassy and sometimes bitter notes.

How to Grow Celery in Australia

Celery is a long-season vegetable requiring fertile soil, cool to mild conditions and consistently available moisture.

When to Plant Celery in Australia

Celery planting periods vary substantially by climate. In warm regions it is generally grown through autumn and winter, while cool-climate growers can raise crops through spring and summer.

These sowing periods are general guides. Local frost, elevation, summer heat, humidity and irrigation availability should also be considered.

When to Plant Celery in Australian States and Cities

How to Grow Celery from Seed

Celery is generally raised in trays or small cells before transplanting because the seed is extremely fine and the seedlings develop slowly.

1. Choose the appropriate season.
   Plan the crop so established plants grow through cool to mild conditions.
2. Prepare a fine seed-raising medium.
   Use a clean mix that retains moisture while draining freely.
3. Sow on or near the surface.
   Press the seed gently into the medium and cover very lightly, if at all.
4. Maintain continuous moisture.
   Do not allow the fine seed or young seedlings to dry out.
5. Provide light.
   Celery seed germinates best when sown shallowly with access to light.
6. Be patient during germination.
   Emergence can be slower and less uniform than with many other vegetables.
7. Thin or prick out seedlings.
   Give the small plants adequate room once several true leaves develop.
8. Harden plants gradually.
   Introduce seedlings progressively to outdoor light, wind and temperature changes.
9. Transplant into fertile soil.
   Set plants at the same depth they occupied in the seedling container.
10. Maintain steady moisture and nutrition.
    Support uninterrupted growth until harvest.

How Deep Should Celery Seeds Be Planted?

Celery seed should be surface-sown or covered with only a very fine layer of seed-raising mix.

How Long Do Celery Seeds Take to Germinate?

Celery commonly germinates within approximately 14–21 days, although emergence can take longer where temperatures, moisture or seed placement are unsuitable.

Does Celery Seed Need Light to Germinate?

Celery seed benefits from light during germination and should be sown on the surface or covered extremely lightly.

After seedlings emerge, provide bright, even light to prevent weak, elongated growth.

Insufficient light can result in:

• Long, thin seedlings
• Pale foliage
• Weak stems
• Slow establishment
• Poor transplant quality

Should Celery Seeds Be Soaked Before Planting?

Soaking is optional. Some growers soak celery seed briefly to begin hydration before sowing, but it is not a substitute for correct surface sowing and moisture management.

Where soaking is used:

• Use clean water
• Soak only for a limited period
• Drain the seed carefully
• Sow immediately
• Handle gently because wet seed can clump
• Keep the seedbed consistently moist after sowing

The small seed can be difficult to distribute evenly after soaking. Dry surface sowing is often simpler for home growers.

Can Celery Seedlings Be Transplanted?

Yes. Transplanting is the standard growing method for stalk celery.

Move seedlings once they are strong enough to handle and have developed several true leaves. Avoid allowing the plants to become severely root-bound.

When transplanting:

• Harden seedlings gradually
• Keep the root ball intact
• Plant at approximately the previous soil level
• Avoid burying the central crown
• Water immediately
• Protect plants from severe wind or heat while establishing

How Far Apart Should Celery Be Planted?

Spacing affects stalk size, airflow, blanching and total plant population.

Can Celery Be Grown in Pots?

Yes. Tall Utah celery can be grown in large containers where soil volume, moisture and nutrition are adequate.

Does Celery Need Full Sun?

Celery performs well in full sun during cool weather but can benefit from light afternoon shade as temperatures rise.

Provide approximately six hours of direct or strong filtered light for healthy growth.

Heavy shade can cause:

• Weak elongated stalks
• Pale foliage
• Slow growth
• Reduced bunch weight
• Long periods of wet foliage

In hot Australian regions, protecting celery from intense afternoon sun can help maintain moisture and reduce heat stress.

What Soil Does Celery Need?

Celery prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil that still drains freely.

Suitable soil preparation may include:

• Incorporating well-decomposed organic matter
• Removing compacted layers
• Providing consistent irrigation
• Applying mulch after plants establish
• Maintaining balanced fertility
• Avoiding saline or severely waterlogged ground

The soil should hold enough moisture to prevent wilting but should not remain stagnant around the roots.

Watering Celery Plants

Celery has a relatively shallow root system and requires regular moisture throughout its growth.

Water deeply and frequently enough to keep the active root zone consistently moist.

Insufficient or irregular watering can contribute to:

• Short stalks
• Tough texture
• Stringiness
• Hollow stems
• Strong or bitter flavour
• Premature flowering
• Reduced bunch weight

Feeding Celery Plants

Celery is a substantial leafy feeder and generally benefits from fertile soil and continued nutrition.

Important considerations include:

• Balanced fertility before planting
• Adequate nitrogen for steady leaf and stalk growth
• Potassium for plant strength and water regulation
• Calcium and micronutrient availability
• Regular feeding in containers
• Avoiding concentrated fertiliser against the crown or roots

Excessive feeding should not replace suitable soil, water and root space. Follow the directions of the fertiliser being used.

Does Celery Need Blanching?

Blanching is the practice of excluding light from the lower stalks so they become paler, milder and sometimes more tender.

Tall Utah can be grown and eaten without blanching. Green unblanched stalks generally have stronger flavour and colour.

Blanching methods include:

How Long Does Celery Take to Grow?

Celery is a relatively slow vegetable. Tall Utah commonly requires approximately 100–140 days from sowing to mature harvest, depending on season and growing conditions.

Maturity varies with temperature, seedling age, soil fertility, plant spacing, water supply and target bunch size.

When to Harvest Celery

Celery can be harvested once the stalks reach the size and texture required.

Signs of harvest readiness include:

• The bunch has developed substantial upright stalks
• The outside stems are crisp and firm
• The plant has reached the preferred height and width
• Stalks have not become excessively hollow or fibrous
• The central crown remains healthy and compact
• Plants have not begun producing a flower stalk

Young celery can be harvested earlier for finer, more tender stems, while mature plants provide greater bunch weight.

How to Harvest Celery

Celery can be harvested progressively or as a complete plant.

Does Celery Regrow After Cutting?

A celery crown may produce new leaves and small stalks after the outer plant is cut, provided the growing centre and roots remain alive.

Regrowth is generally smaller and less uniform than the original bunch. It should not be expected to produce an identical second commercial crop.

For the best chance of garden regrowth:

• Leave the basal crown intact
• Maintain moisture
• Protect the exposed centre from rot
• Provide adequate light
• Feed lightly once active growth resumes
• Harvest the regrowth while young

Can Celery Be Regrown from a Stalk or Base?

A purchased celery base can produce new leaves when placed in shallow water or moist growing medium.

This process uses the living crown remaining at the base rather than growing a genetically new plant from an individual cut stalk.

To regrow a celery base:

1. Retain the crown.
   Cut the stalks approximately 4–6 cm above the basal plate.
2. Place the base in shallow water.
   Keep the cut surface above deep standing water.
3. Provide bright indirect light.
   Avoid intense heat while new growth begins.
4. Refresh the water regularly.
   Remove decaying tissue and prevent stagnant conditions.
5. Transfer to soil.
   Plant once new roots and central leaves begin developing.
6. Maintain moisture.
   Keep the transplanted crown evenly moist while it establishes.

Why Are Celery Stalks Thin, Hollow or Stringy?

Poor stalk quality can result from environmental stress or inadequate growing conditions.

Why Does Celery Bolt?

Bolting occurs when celery produces a flower stem rather than continuing stalk and leaf growth.

It can be encouraged by:

• Prolonged exposure of young plants to cold conditions
• Plant maturity
• Rapid temperature changes
• Heat stress
• Drought
• Root restriction
• Interrupted growth

Once a strong flower stem develops, stalk quality generally declines. Harvest usable celery before flowering progresses.

How to Prepare Celery

Celery should be washed thoroughly because soil can collect between the stalks and around the basal crown.

1. Separate the stalks if required.
   Pull or cut them individually from the bunch.
2. Wash thoroughly.
   Rinse the inner and outer surfaces and remove soil around the base.
3. Trim the ends.
   Remove damaged basal tissue and dry leaf tips.
4. Remove coarse strings where preferred.
   Peel the outer surface of very mature stalks using a vegetable peeler.
5. Cut for the intended use.
   Slice, dice, julienne or leave as vegetable sticks.
6. Retain usable leaves.
   Set fresh green leaves aside for seasoning or garnish.

Ways to Use Celery

What Can You Do with Celery Leaves?

Celery leaves can replace or complement parsley in many savoury recipes.

Potential uses include:

• Chopping into soup immediately before serving
• Adding to vegetable or meat stock
• Mixing into potato or pasta salad
• Combining with garlic, nuts and oil in pesto
• Adding to omelettes and frittatas
• Using in stuffing
• Drying and crushing for seasoning
• Freezing in measured portions for cooked dishes

Use dark outside leaves more sparingly because their flavour is stronger.

How to Store Fresh Celery

Freshly harvested celery should be cooled promptly to preserve crispness.

For household storage:

• Remove damaged or yellow foliage
• Keep the stalks refrigerated
• Protect the bunch from dehydration
• Use a suitable container, produce bag or wrapping method
• Avoid crushing the stalks
• Wash shortly before use where practical
• Discard slimy, mouldy or unpleasant-smelling celery

Wilted but sound celery may regain some crispness when placed briefly in cold water.

Can Celery Be Frozen?

Yes. Celery can be frozen for later cooked use, but it loses its crisp raw texture after thawing.

For freezing:

1. Select sound stalks.
   Remove damaged or heavily fibrous sections.
2. Wash thoroughly.
   Remove soil from the stalk surfaces and base.
3. Slice or dice.
   Prepare pieces according to their intended future use.
4. Blanch where appropriate.
   A brief blanch can help preserve colour and storage quality.
5. Cool and drain.
   Remove excess surface water.
6. Freeze in usable portions.
   Pack into suitable freezer-safe containers.

Frozen celery is best used in:

• Soups
• Stocks
• Stews
• Sauces
• Casseroles
• Cooked fillings

Can Celery Leaves Be Frozen?

Yes. Wash and dry the leaves, then freeze them whole, chopped or in measured portions.

Frozen leaves lose their fresh garnish texture but remain useful in stocks, soups, stews and sauces.

They may also be frozen with water or stock in ice-cube trays for convenient cooking portions.

Can Celery Be Grown as Microgreens?

Celery can be grown as a microgreen, although it germinates more slowly than many common microgreen crops.

Use only untreated seed suitable for edible microgreen production.

Celery microgreens generally require:

• A fine, level growing medium
• Shallow sowing
• Constant surface moisture
• Patience during slow germination
• Strong light after emergence
• Careful harvesting because of fine stems

Common Celery Growing Problems

Common Celery Pests

Celery can be affected by aphids, leaf miners, caterpillars, slugs, snails and other foliage pests.

Management options include:

• Inspecting leaves regularly
• Checking young central foliage
• Removing heavily damaged leaves
• Protecting seedlings from slugs and snails
• Maintaining suitable spacing and airflow
• Removing old crop residues
• Rotating crops where practical
• Using only legally registered crop-protection products according to their labels

What to Plant with Celery

Celery can share beds with vegetables that prefer fertile soil and regular moisture.

Potential neighbouring crops include:

• Leeks
• Onions and spring onions
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Silverbeet
• Brassicas
• Beans where adequate light remains available
• Herbs and flowers that support beneficial insects

Avoid placing celery beside vigorous crops that will heavily shade it or compete strongly for water.

Can Celery Seed Be Saved?

Yes. Tall Utah is open pollinated and can produce seed where selected plants are allowed to complete their reproductive cycle.

Celery is generally biennial. It produces stalks and leaves during its first growing stage, then flowers after suitable cold exposure and changing seasonal conditions.

To save celery seed:

1. Select healthy plants.
   Retain vigorous Tall Utah plants with desirable stalk and bunch characteristics.
2. Allow plants to remain through the required season.
   Protect the crowns from severe damage.
3. Permit flowering.
   The plants develop branching stems bearing small flower clusters.
4. Allow seeds to mature.
   Wait until the seed heads begin drying and turning brown.
5. Harvest progressively.
   Cut mature seed heads before excessive seed is lost.
6. Dry thoroughly.
   Finish drying in a protected, ventilated location.
7. Clean and store.
   Remove plant debris and label the dry seed with the variety and harvest year.

Will Different Celery Varieties Cross?

Compatible celery, celeriac and leaf-celery varieties can cross-pollinate when flowering together.

Crossing does not affect the stalks being harvested from the current plants. It affects the characteristics of seed produced by those plants.

Growers saving Tall Utah true to type should isolate flowering plants from other compatible Apium graveolens crops or use a controlled seed-production method.

Packet and Larger-Quantity Celery Seeds

Important Considerations for Commercial Growers

Commercial celery production requires controlled seedling establishment, consistent irrigation and a defined bunch specification.

Frequently Asked Questions