How to Grow Celery in Arkansas

Celery can be challenging to grow in warmer climates like Arkansas, but with proper care, it’s possible to produce crisp, flavorful stalks. Arkansas’s long growing season allows for two potential celery harvests—one in the spring and another in the fall—making it essential to time your plantings carefully to avoid the summer heat.

1. Choosing the Right Variety

Certain celery varieties are better suited to warmer climates and should be chosen for Arkansas conditions:

  • ‘Tall Utah’: A classic variety known for its upright, sturdy stalks.
  • ‘Conquistador’: A fast-maturing variety that can handle warmer conditions and matures more quickly.
  • ‘Golden Pascal’: A heat-tolerant variety with mild-flavored, golden stalks.

2. When to Plant

In Arkansas, timing is everything when it comes to growing celery. Since celery prefers cooler temperatures, it’s best to plant it in early spring or late summer to avoid the hot summer months.

For Spring Planting:
  • Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last expected frost, which typically occurs in late March to early April in most of Arkansas.
  • Transplant seedlings outdoors in early April once the soil temperature reaches about 50°F.
For Fall Planting:
  • Start seeds in late summer, about 12-14 weeks before the first expected frost, and transplant them outside in September for a fall harvest.

3. Soil Preparation

Celery thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Arkansas soil can vary from loamy to clay-heavy, so it’s important to amend the soil to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Soil Tips:
  • Incorporate plenty of organic matter, such as compost, to improve soil fertility and water retention.
  • Use raised beds or mounded rows if your soil is prone to waterlogging, which celery doesn’t tolerate.

4. Sunlight and Watering

Celery needs full sun, but Arkansas’s hot summers require some afternoon shade, especially for spring plantings.

Watering Tips:
  • Celery is a heavy drinker and needs consistent moisture, particularly in Arkansas’s warm climate.
  • Water frequently, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

5. Mulching and Weed Control

Mulch is particularly important in Arkansas to conserve moisture and protect the plants from the intense summer heat.

Mulching Tips:
  • Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or grass clippings, around the base of the plants to maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Fertilizing

Celery is a heavy feeder, requiring frequent applications of nitrogen-rich fertilizer to promote healthy, tender stalks.

Fertilizing Tips:
  • Incorporate a balanced fertilizer or compost into the soil before planting.
  • Once the plants are established, side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3-4 weeks to ensure steady growth.

7. Pest and Disease Control

In Arkansas, celery can be susceptible to pests like aphids, caterpillars, and slugs, as well as fungal diseases such as leaf spot and root rot.

Pest and Disease Management:
  • Use row covers to protect young plants from pests.
  • Practice crop rotation and avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases.
  • Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for pest control, and ensure good air circulation between plants.

8. Blanching

To grow tender, pale stalks, some celery varieties need to be blanched by excluding sunlight from the stalks.

Blanching Tips:
  • In Arkansas, start blanching about 2-3 weeks before harvest by tying the outer stalks together and piling soil or mulch around them, or wrapping the stalks in paper or cardboard.

9. Harvesting

Celery is usually ready for harvest 85-120 days after planting. In Arkansas, spring plantings can be harvested in early summer, and fall plantings can be harvested in late fall, before the first frost.

Harvesting Tips:
  • Harvest the entire plant by cutting it just above the soil, or pick individual stalks as needed.
  • For best flavor and texture, harvest celery in the morning when temperatures are cooler.

Conclusion

While growing celery in Arkansas’s warm climate can be challenging, success is achievable with careful timing and attention to soil moisture. By selecting heat-tolerant varieties, providing consistent watering, and protecting plants from the hottest part of the season, you can enjoy a fresh harvest of celery in both the spring and fall.