Lexi Webster
Celery is a challenging crop to grow, requiring a long, cool season to thrive. It is susceptible to damage from bugs, wind, trampling, slugs, snails, whiteflies, and caterpillars. In Australia, celery is grown in Western Australia, with most of the crop coming from the outer metropolitan locations on the Swan Coastal Plain. Celery is typically grown from transplants produced by specialist seedling nurseries. The best time to grow celery from seed is in autumn, and the plant can be harvested after 14 weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | Up to 60 cm |
| Plant type | Annual vegetable |
| Foliage | Long green stalks with heavily lobed leaves, similar to parsley |
| Climate | Suitable for all zones, but thrives in cool and temperate regions |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6) and enriched with organic matter |
| Position | Full sun to part shade, with protection from strong winds |
| Flowering and fruiting | Small, creamy-white flowers arranged in dense clusters; plants are typically harvested before flowering |
| Feeding | Liquid feed regularly throughout the growing season |
| Watering | Regular watering to keep the soil moist |
| Fertiliser | High fertiliser requirements |
| Harvesting | Individual stalks can be harvested as needed, or the whole plant can be harvested after 14 weeks |
| Seedlings | Best grown in specialist nurseries due to skin allergies celery can cause |
| Planting time | May to July plantings in the Perth area; September to January plantings in southern districts; mid-autumn to early spring in subtropical regions; dry season (April to July) in the tropics |
| Blanching | Can be done by wrapping newspaper or cardboard around the stems to keep them pale green and tender |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's celery yield
Celery is one of the highest-yielding vegetable crops in Western Australia. It is a shallow-rooted crop with high fertiliser and moisture requirements. It is usually grown from transplants produced by specialist seedling nurseries. WA is practically self-sufficient in celery, with small quantities brought from other states in summer. Most of the celery in WA comes from outer metropolitan locations on the Swan Coastal Plain as far south as Bunbury, with some from the lower South West and South Coast.
September to January plantings give the best results in southern districts. The key to successfully growing celery is moderate weather. It is a cool-season crop and is best grown in the moderate weather of spring to early summer. It needs at least 5-7 hours of sun a day but will enjoy some afternoon shade.
Soils must be well-drained with high levels of organic matter, which may be supplied from the residues of past crops or compost. Slightly acidic soil is optimum for celery (pHCa range 5.0 to 6.0). Apply lime to the soil if the pHCa drops below 4.8. Celery plants have exceptionally fine roots, so they need very light soil. If you have heavier soil in your garden, then you can plant them into pure compost in a raised bed.
Celery seeds can take 2–3 weeks to germinate, so be patient and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist. The whole celery plant can be harvested after 14 weeks. Alternatively, remove the outer stalks as needed, leaving the younger stems to develop; this will help extend the season.
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Celery's climate and soil requirements
Celery is a challenging vegetable to grow at home, but it is a hardy biennial that is typically grown as an annual. It is a shallow-rooted crop with high fertiliser and moisture requirements. It is a cool-weather crop that requires a long growing season. It is best to start celery from seed indoors, as transplants are hard to find and do not always succeed. The seeds should be soaked in warm water overnight to speed up germination. The soil should be moist, and the seeds should be pressed lightly into the soil without covering them.
Celery thrives in less extreme temperatures and is best suited to temperate climates. It is prone to bolting in cold weather, so it requires careful timing. In the Perth area, for example, May to July plantings may bolt in spring if temperatures fall between 4 and 13°C for more than 10 days during the seedling stage. Celery grows best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter, which can be supplied from compost and worm castings.
Consistent hydration is essential for celery plants, as they are heavy feeders of water and nutrients. Wild celery grows in boggy ground, so the soil should be kept consistently moist. To help retain moisture, you can cover the seeds with a germination dome, plastic wrap, or other transparent cover. Adding organic mulch to your garden around the base of celery plants can also help retain moisture and keep plants cool.
To maximise growing space, you can sow baby lettuce or microgreens around the celery, but take care not to overcrowd the plants as they will compete for nutrients. Celery is susceptible to bug damage, wind damage, trampling, and seedlings being eaten by birds, so consider planting in raised beds to ward off slugs and protect the plants from other pests.
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Celery's germination and growth
Celery is grown from seeds, which should be soaked in water to aid germination. The seeds should be planted in trays, modules, or pots with moist seed compost, vermiculite, or sieved compost. The containers should be covered with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag to retain moisture and kept somewhere warm, with temperatures of at least 15°C (59°F) to germinate. Germination typically takes one to three weeks.
Once the seedlings appear, they should be placed under a fluorescent light, 3 inches above them for 16 hours a day, and maintained at 70° to 75°F (21° to 24°C) during the day and 60° to 65°F (15° to 18°C) at night. Regular misting is essential. When the seedlings are 2 inches tall, they can be transplanted to individual peat pots or deeper flats with new potting soil, ensuring the plants are at least 2 inches apart. Before transplanting outdoors, the seedlings should be hardened off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a few hours each day.
Celery should be planted outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 50°F (10°C), and nighttime temperatures do not fall below 40°F (4°C). Celery thrives in fertile, well-drained, organic sandy soils with ample nutrients and a slightly acidic pH of 5.0 to 6.0. It requires consistent moisture and ample fertilizer throughout its growth. The ideal temperature range for celery is 55-65°F, and it struggles in temperatures above 85°F.
Celery grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, with stalks arranged in a cone. It can be harvested from summer until the first hard frosts, typically in autumn. The stalks can be harvested individually or as a whole plant. Young celery is just as good as mature celery, and the darker the stalks, the more nutrients they contain.
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Protecting celery from pests
Celery is grown in many parts of Australia, including Western Australia, where it is one of the highest-yielding vegetable crops. It is a shallow-rooted crop with high fertiliser and moisture requirements.
Protecting celery from insects
Celery is susceptible to damage from insects, such as aphids, which can infest the underside of leaves and stems. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that are usually green or yellow, but can also be pink, brown, red, or black. Heavy aphid infestations can cause leaves to turn yellow and become distorted, with necrotic spots and stunted shoots. They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which encourages the growth of sooty mold. To prevent aphid infestations, inspect your celery plants regularly and remove any insects by hand or with a gentle stream of water. You can also use insecticidal soaps or natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings.
Protecting celery from birds and other animals
Celery plants, especially seedlings, are vulnerable to being eaten by birds and other animals. To protect them, consider erecting a physical barrier such as a net or fence around your plants. You can also try using visual or auditory deterrents, such as reflective tape or ultrasonic devices. Additionally, removing any sources of attraction, such as standing water or unsecured trash, can help reduce the risk of animal damage.
Protecting celery from diseases
Celery is susceptible to various diseases, including fungal infections. To prevent this, practice crop rotation and remove any diseased plants or plant debris from your garden. Water the plants at soil level instead of from overhead to keep the foliage dry and less inviting to fungi. You can also apply protective fungicides as a preventative measure or to treat infections that occur early in the season. Sulfur applications can also be effective in managing fungal diseases.
General pest prevention tips
- Keep your garden area clean and free of debris that can attract pests or provide shelter for them.
- Practice good garden hygiene by disinfecting tools and removing weeds, which can harbour pests and diseases.
- Encourage natural predators of pests, such as birds, ladybugs, and lacewings, by providing shelter and food sources for them.
- Use row covers or cloches to protect your celery plants from pests and extreme temperatures.
- Maintain healthy plants by providing optimal growing conditions, such as adequate spacing, fertilisation, and moisture.
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Harvesting celery
Celery is a biennial crop that is part of the Apiaceae family and is related to parsnips and carrots. It is a shallow-rooted crop with high fertiliser and moisture requirements. It is grown as an annual crop in Western Australia and is harvested before the plants bolt into flowers and the stalks become pithy and soft. The best results in southern districts are obtained from September to January plantings.
Celery has a long growing season and requires lots of water and patience and skill to grow. It should be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date, and it can be transplanted to the garden when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Celery should be planted in the lowest area of the garden, as it requires lots of water. It is best to plant celery in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. The soil should be well-drained with high levels of organic matter, which can be supplied from the residues of past crops or compost. To prevent soft rot caused by bacteria, allow the celery plants to dry completely before watering them again.
Celery can take up to 140 days to be ready for harvest. You can start harvesting when the lower stalks are 6 inches long and the upper stalks have reached at least 18 inches with a diameter of 3 inches. Harvest the celery by cutting the stalks below where they join together with a sharp, serrated knife or a clean hori hori. You can also harvest the celery leaves, which are filled with nutrients and taste similar to parsley. To maximise growing space in a pot, try sowing baby lettuce or microgreens around the celery, but take care not to overcrowd the plants as they will compete for nutrients.
To get the celery to regrow after harvesting, treat it like a cut-and-come-again plant. Only harvest a couple of stalks at a time and leave the rest of the plant to keep growing and producing. Focus on the older, outer stalks so that the centre of the plant can push up new growth. You can also harvest the entire plant at once, but it won't regrow in the garden. To do this, wait until the plant is at least 3 inches wide and cut it at the base, right at or slightly below the soil level.
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Frequently asked questions
Celery is grown in Western Australia, where it is one of the highest-yielding vegetable crops. It is also grown in home gardens across the country.
Celery is typically grown from seeds or seedlings. The best time to grow celery from seed is in autumn, and it will be ready to harvest in 14 weeks. In cool and temperate regions, celery should be sown or planted in late winter and early spring. In subtropical regions, it should be planted in mid-autumn to early spring, and in the tropics, it should be planted in the dry season (April to July).
Celery is a demanding vegetable to grow, as it requires a lot of attention to feeding and watering. It grows best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6) and needs to be protected from strong winds. It should be planted in a spot with full sun to part shade. To sweeten the stalks, blanch the stems by covering them with cardboard or a milk carton a few weeks before harvest.
