Growing Celery in Massachusetts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Growing Celery in Massachusetts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Celery is a cool-season vegetable that can thrive in Massachusetts’ temperate climate with proper care and timing. Known for its crisp texture and distinct flavor, celery is a versatile crop that can be challenging to grow but rewarding with the right techniques. Here’s how to successfully cultivate celery in Massachusetts.

1. Understanding Massachusetts’ Climate

Massachusetts has a temperate climate with cold winters, mild springs, warm summers, and cool autumns. Celery prefers cool temperatures, growing best in the range of 60-70°F (15-21°C). This makes spring and fall the ideal growing seasons for celery in Massachusetts.

2. Choosing the Right Celery Variety

There are different types of celery to choose from, including:

• Pascal Celery: The most common variety with thick, crisp stalks, well-suited for Massachusetts’ climate.
• Golden Self-Blanching Celery: A variety that grows shorter but is known for its sweet, tender stalks.
• Chinese Celery: This variety has thinner stalks and is often used in Asian cooking. It grows well in cooler temperatures.

Select a variety based on your preference, but Pascal celery is generally a good choice for beginner gardeners in Massachusetts.

3. Starting Celery Indoors

Celery has a long growing season, taking around 120-140 days to mature. Given Massachusetts’ shorter growing season, it’s best to start celery indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost date, which is typically in early to mid-April in most parts of the state.

• Step-by-Step Indoor Starting:
  • Sow Seeds: Plant celery seeds indoors in trays filled with seed-starting mix. Celery seeds are tiny, so scatter them lightly on the surface and barely cover with soil. Press them down gently.
  • Provide Light: Place the trays in a sunny location or under grow lights for 14-16 hours a day. Celery requires a lot of light to germinate and grow.
  • Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Celery seeds need warmth and moisture to germinate, which can take up to 3 weeks.
  • Transplanting: Once seedlings are about 2 inches tall with 3-4 true leaves, thin them out to give each seedling enough space to grow.

4. Preparing the Garden Bed

Celery prefers rich, moisture-retentive soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Celery plants are heavy feeders, so soil preparation is key to a successful crop.

• Amend the Soil: Add plenty of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure. This helps the soil retain moisture, which is critical for celery.
• Raised Beds or Containers: In areas with poor drainage, consider planting celery in raised beds or containers to ensure the plants do not get waterlogged, especially during rainy periods in Massachusetts’ spring.

5. Transplanting Celery Outdoors

When the outdoor temperature reaches a consistent 50°F (10°C) and the danger of frost has passed, usually in late April to early May in Massachusetts, you can begin transplanting celery seedlings outdoors.

• Hardening Off: Before transplanting, harden off your celery seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7-10 days. Start by placing them in a shaded area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors and exposure to sunlight.
• Spacing: Plant celery seedlings 8-10 inches apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. This gives the plants enough room to grow and ensures good air circulation.
• Depth: Transplant celery at the same depth they were growing indoors. Be careful not to bury the crown (the base of the plant where the stalks emerge).

6. Watering and Mulching

Celery requires a lot of water to grow, and consistent moisture is crucial to avoid tough, stringy stalks.

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Water deeply 1-2 times per week, ensuring that the soil remains evenly moist but not soggy. Celery is very sensitive to drought, which can cause the stalks to become bitter and tough.
• Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as straw or grass clippings, around the base of the plants. This helps retain soil moisture, keep the soil cool, and suppress weeds.

7. Fertilizing

Celery is a heavy feeder, and regular fertilization is important to ensure vigorous growth.

• Initial Fertilization: At the time of transplanting, mix in a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) or apply compost to provide nutrients for early growth.
• Ongoing Fertilization: Feed your celery plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season to encourage leaf and stalk development.

8. Managing Pests and Diseases

Celery in Massachusetts can be affected by common garden pests and diseases, but with careful monitoring and good gardening practices, these can be managed.

• Pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and celery leaf miners. You can use organic insecticidal soap or neem oil to control pests. Row covers are also effective at keeping pests off your plants, particularly in the early growing stages.
• Diseases: Celery is susceptible to fungal diseases like early blight and leaf spot, especially in humid or rainy conditions. To prevent disease, avoid overhead watering, provide adequate spacing between plants for air circulation, and rotate your crops each season.

9. Blanching Celery

Blanching is the process of covering celery stalks to block out sunlight, which reduces bitterness and makes the stalks more tender and light-colored.

• Blanching Methods: A few weeks before harvest, mound soil around the base of the plants or wrap the stalks loosely with paper or cardboard. This shields the stalks from sunlight and encourages the production of sweeter, less bitter stalks.

10. Harvesting Celery

Celery is ready to harvest when the stalks are about 8-12 inches tall, typically 85-120 days after transplanting.

• Harvesting the Entire Plant: You can harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base with a sharp knife.
• Harvesting Stalks: Alternatively, harvest individual stalks as needed, leaving the inner stalks to continue growing.
• Fall Harvest: In Massachusetts, celery planted in spring can be harvested throughout the summer and into the fall. Celery is frost-tolerant, but be sure to harvest before a hard freeze sets in, typically by October or early November.

11. Storing Celery

Once harvested, celery can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, blanch and freeze celery for use in soups, stews, or sauces throughout the winter.

By carefully planning around Massachusetts’ cool growing seasons, providing adequate water, and managing soil and nutrients, you can successfully grow crisp, flavorful celery in your garden. With the right care, this crop will reward you with a bountiful harvest that’s perfect for a variety of culinary uses.