When it comes to cutting celery, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First and foremost, celery is a member of the carrot family and is typically grown as a biennial. However, in certain zones like mine (zone 7), it is more practical to treat celery as an annual due to specific environmental factors.
In my garden, I have a wet area that tends to freeze during the winter months. This freezing temperature can be detrimental to the roots of celery plants, potentially killing them off. To avoid this, I choose to treat my celery plants as annuals and start fresh each year by growing new plants from seed.
Starting celery from seed is relatively easy. I typically sow the seeds indoors about 10-12 weeks before the last expected frost date in my area. I fill seed trays or pots with a good quality seed starting mix and lightly press the seeds into the soil. It’s important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination period.
Once the seedlings have emerged and grown to a suitable size, usually around 2-3 inches tall, they can be transplanted into their permanent location in the garden. I ensure that the soil is well-drained, as celery prefers moist but not overly wet conditions for optimal growth.
When it comes time to harvest celery, there are a few methods you can use. One common approach is to harvest the outer stalks as needed, allowing the inner stalks to continue growing. This allows for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
To harvest a stalk of celery, I gently grasp it close to the base and pull it upwards, applying a slight twisting motion. This helps to break the stalk away from the plant without damaging the surrounding foliage. If the stalk is resistant, I use a sharp knife or pruners to cut it close to the base.
I find that freshly harvested celery has the best flavor and crispness, so I prefer to use it immediately in my cooking or salads. However, if you have a surplus of celery, it can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. To keep it fresh, I wrap the celery stalks in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or container before refrigerating.
Cutting celery involves starting fresh each year from seed due to the specific environmental conditions in my garden. I sow the seeds indoors and transplant the seedlings into a well-drained garden bed. For harvesting, I selectively remove outer stalks as needed, ensuring to use a gentle twisting motion or sharp knife to avoid damaging the plant. Freshly harvested celery is best used immediately, but it can also be stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
