![]() For a fun indoor project with children, you can also propagate celery from the base of stalks purchased at the store. PropagationĬelery is most commonly propagated by seed and is widely available in nurseries. We’ll explore the best-tasting varieties as well as the easiest-to-grow varieties below. Mid-18th century Swedish chefs spread celery around as a winter luxury for storage in cellars and use in stews.Įuropeans and Americans soon caught on and the green stalks of celery were eventually bred to be savory and nearly sweet without any of the remaining pungent flavors of wild varieties. They discovered that growing celery in mild seasons of late summer and fall made the plant more palatable. By the mid 17th century, plant breeders had improved the wild-type into a more neutral flavor with crisp stalks and pleasantly fragrant leaves.įrench and Italian cuisines had begun integrating celery in salads and dressings. Early varieties were quite pungent and bitter, so the French primarily used celery as a flavoring herb. The term “celery” is believed to have come from the French word celeri. The first food uses of celery date back to the 1600s in France. History of Celery Cultivation Celery has been cultivated for centuries in European gardens. The ancestors of modern celery still grow wild in wet areas throughout Europe. The first known records of celery use come from the Mediterranean, where early civilizations used wild celery ancestors as medicinal remedies for soothing nerves, promoting sleep, liver detoxification, anti-inflammatory actions, and support for the urinary tract. ![]() It is believed to be the same plant as selinon, which was mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey around 850 B.C. Where Does Celery Originate? This ancient plant has origins in the Mediterranean region.Īpium graveolens is a wild marshland plant native to Europe, the Mediterranean, parts of Asia, and the Himalayas. Growing celeriac roots is a very similar process to growing celery. Certain varieties of celery called celeriac (or celery root) have also been cultivated for large bulbous starchy roots. ![]() While many Apiaceae crops are used as herbs, celery is a vegetable most commonly cultivated for its crisp, hydrating stalk. As you can tell, this aromatic plant family includes lots of popular herbs and veggies with hollow stems and flat-topped clusters of flowers. While the stalk is most coveted amongst chefs, the aromatic leaves and even starchy roots are also edible.Ĭelery is a member of the Apiaceae or umbel family, which also includes carrot, parsley, cilantro, parsnip, dill, fennel, and lovage. This means that it takes two years to complete its life cycle and go to seed, however, most of us gardeners harvest it in a single season of growth.Ĭelery has a long fibrous stalk that is juicy and crunchy and can be eaten raw or cooked. What is Celery? This aromatic vegetable grows in tall, crisp stalks that are used often in cooking.Ĭelery is a biennial vegetable that is most often grown as an annual. Through many centuries of evolution, this aromatic vegetable has made its way into gardens and cuisines around the world. Let’s demystify growing celery and dig into how you can successfully cultivate it in your garden with minimal effort.Ĭelery has an intriguing history as both food and medicine. After growing celery on commercial organic farms in a wide range of climates, I am proud to say that any savvy gardener can conquer this crisp umbel-family vegetable. If you’ve been wanting to test out your horticultural skills with this herby vegetable, you’re in the right place. It also can be used as a storage crop through the fall and early winter. Celery is a nutritious, hydrating, and delicious addition to any garden. Health trends like celery juice, children’s snacks like “ants on a log”, and classic dishes like holiday stuffing aren’t going away any time soon. Plus, you don’t have to worry about celery’s “dirty dozen” reputation for pesticide residues. ![]() ![]() Successfully growing celery is definitely a badge of honor in the gardening world. While many varieties have triple-digit days to maturity and the plant is a bit finicky, the truth is that celery is fairly simple to grow once you get the hang of it. But garden-grown celery is fresher, better tasting, and less chemical-laden than its store-bought counterparts. Many gardeners (and even farmers!) shy away from this aromatic biennial because it takes a long time to mature and is sensitive to both heat and cold. Celery has a reputation for being very challenging to grow. ![]()
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