Have you considered the benefits of companion planting with your celery crop? Choosing the right companion plants for your celery can help maximize your garden space and boost your yields.
Some plants make perfect companions for celery, repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and improving soil health. However, other plants compete with it for nutrients and space, so they should be avoided.
Before you put those little celery seedlings in the ground this season, get to know the plants that play nicely with celery and those that don’t.
Good Companion Plants for Celery
Celery loves the company of certain plants. Some ideal companions include:
- Tomatoes
- Chives
- Chamomile
- Onions
- Bush beans
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Mint
- Thyme
- Garlic
- Brassicas
- Cucumbers
- Cosmos
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Spinach
- Shallots
- Tansy
- Snapdragons
- Sage
With the right companion plants around, your celery crop will thrive, and you’ll have a bountiful harvest. So get planting and enjoy!
What Not to Plant with Celery
Below are a few vegetables and herbs to avoid planting near your celery patch:
- Parsnips
- Parsley
- Irish potato
- Rutabaga
- Fennel
- Cilantro
- Coriander
- Turnips
- Corn
In short, keep your celery separated from its close botanical relatives as well as other umbellifers. They are bad for each other. While companion planting has its benefits, in this case, segregation is key.
How to Grow Celery
You’ll want to start with celery seeds or starter plants. Celery seeds can take a while to germinate, so many gardeners prefer to purchase starter plants from their local nursery.
If growing celery from seed, plant the tiny seeds in seed trays filled with seed starter mix. Bury the seeds 1/8 inch deep, and keep the soil moist while they germinate. This can take 2 to 3 weeks.
Once the seedlings each have about 5 leaves, harden them off and transplant them into your garden.
Afterward, space the seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart in rows about 2 feet apart. Celery requires nutrient-rich, loose soil with plenty of organic matter. The soil should also be kept consistently moist for the best growth.
Fertilizer Requirements
This herb requires nutrients to grow healthy and strong.
For fertilizer, use one that’s complete with a high ratio of potassium once a month during the growing season. A 4-4-8 or similar formula will work great.
Garden Pests
Several common garden pests can plague your celery plants. Be on the lookout for aphids, beet armyworms, leaf miners, and cabbage loopers [1].
By regularly scouting your garden and taking action at the first signs of damage, you can protect your celery crop from these common pests.
Plant Diseases
A few common diseases can also affect celery plants. Know what to watch out for so you can take action quickly if needed.
Downy mildew, early blight, Fusarium yellows, and pink rot are some of the culprits [2].
Following good cultural practices like crop rotation, sanitation, proper irrigation, and fertilization will help prevent most diseases. However, inspect plants regularly and take action fast if any symptoms appear to avoid major losses.
Harvesting
To harvest your celery, follow these simple steps:
Once the celery stalks are fully grown, about 3 to 4 months after planting, they’re ready to harvest.
Go out to your garden and select stalks that are the size you want. Cut the stalks about 3 inches away from the base. In this case, you’ll be harvesting the whole plant.
Alternatively, you can harvest just the outer stalks and leave the inner ones for later harvest. Next, use a dry cloth to remove any dirt or debris.
How to Store
To keep your celery fresh for as long as possible after harvesting, proper storage is key. Here are some tips for storing your celery:
Wrap it in foil. The aluminum foil allows the ethylene gas that celery releases to escape. If it is stored in a plastic bag, the ethylene will not escape and will cause the celery to limp.
Moisture is also a must. Wrap the celery stalks lightly in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag with some holes or slits for ventilation. The humidity will help keep the celery crisp.
You can also cut up your celery and blanch it. Next, place the cuts in a container or plastic bag and put them in the freezer. This way, you can have it in the freezer for up to a year.
Following these simple tips will keep your celery garden-fresh for weeks after harvesting, so you can enjoy it long after the growing season ends.
Where to Buy Seeds
When it comes to buying quality seeds, you have a few options.
Many nurseries and garden supply stores sell packets of seeds, especially in the spring. This allows you to see the seeds in person and get advice from the staff.
There are also many reputable online retailers that specialize in seeds, like SeedsNow and Burpee. They offer a wide range of organic seed varieties.
Moreover, you can consider saving seeds from your healthiest, most vigorous plants to sow the following year. Home-saved seeds may produce variable results but can be rewarding.
Buying from a reputable source will help you get started with some of the best seeds for your garden.
Takeaway
With these plants by its side, your celery crop will thrive. The aromatic herbs will deter pests, the tall plants will provide shade, and the nitrogen-fixers will keep the soil fertile.
Your garden will be bursting with life, and your kitchen will be stocked with homegrown goodness. What are you waiting for? Get out there and start planning where to put each crop.
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