Growing celery in Florida is not an easy task if the proper inputs aren’t in place. Celery is related to carrots, fennel, and parsley, and is certainly worthy of growing for its health benefits.
| Celery | Apium graveolens |
| USDA zone | 6-11 |
| Season (FL) | Fall, Spring |
| Soil type | Rich, organic, mucky |
| Light | Full sun, 6-8 hours |
| Water | Ample |
| Sprouts in / germination | 7-21 days |
| Mature plant size | 6” wide, 18” tall |
| Harvest in | 85-140 days |
Growing celery in Florida
Celery requires cool weather, lots of water, and soil rich in organic material.
Full sun, constant moisture, and well composted manure will contribute to a successful crop.
‘Utah’ cultivars are recommended by IFAS.
When to plant celery in Florida
Celery needs sufficient growing time in relatively cool weather. In Florida you can plant as early as October, until as late as March, although this may be pushing it.
What you’ll need
Celery seeds can be purchased online.
If you can find transplants at a local garden center, this will save time.
Lots of composted manure and organic material will help your crop thrive.
Most sources recommend starting seeds indoors for ten weeks before springtime. In this case you’ll need trays, pots, or whatever you choose to plant your seeds in.
How to plant celery seeds
Soak the seeds in warm water overnight to speed up germination.
Use a good quality seed starting mix and sprinkle seeds on top. Pat the soil to firm the seeds into place, without sinking them into the soil. Sprinkle vermiculite on top and add water.
Celery seeds need light to germinate. Place pots or trays by a sunny window or under grow lights. Germination can take up to 3 weeks. Keep seedlings moist by spraying with water daily.
Plant seedlings in the ground after the last expected frost (in Florida, February should be safe) or when soil temperatures remain above 40° at night. Water thoroughly when transplanting.
Caring for celery plants
Celery plants need consistent moisture, so a drip irrigation system would be handy. Side dress with compost – comfrey pellets or coffee grounds make good fertilizer.
When to harvest celery stalks
Harvest stalks whole or harvest individual stems as they continue to grow. Pick and consume the stalks whenever, as young celery is just as good as mature celery. Generally the stalks are ready for complete harvest when they reach 18” tall.
Suggested recipe for celery
My favorite is to juice it with ginger, and this is a weekly ritual for me!
Sources
https://www.almanac.com/plant/celery
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2020/03/14/stalking-celery/