It's a great vegetable to cook or eat raw.It can be hard to grow.Once your plants have formed stalks, wait for the right time to harvest and decide if you will use single stalks or full plants to get the most use out of them.
Step 1: It's best to wait 3 to 5 months after planting to harvest.
The growing period for celery is much longer than 3 months.Wait for 3 months or 4 months after the seed was sown to harvest the stalks.The tougher it becomes, the longer it grows.The more tough the celery, the more healthy it is.Don't wait more than 5 months to harvest your first stalks, harvest according to your personal preferences.
Step 2: The outdoor temperature can reach 65 F.
The celery will be bitter if you wait until the weather gets too hot.Harvest when the air is humid.Wait until the temperature reaches 70 F.The celery won't be inedible.
Step 3: Make sure the lower stalks are at least 15 cm long.
The stalks on the plant need to be at least 6 inches (15 cm) tall.Depending on the plant, the tallest stalks can be as tall as 46 cm.Measure the stalks of your plant if it hasn't reached this size by the time you want to harvest it.
Step 4: The plant needs to be 3 in across to harvest all of the stalks.
You need to wait until the plant has reached its full size to harvest a whole plant.Measure across the plant from one side to the other.Wait 1 to 2 weeks before harvesting if the plant is less than 3 inches wide.
Step 5: If you want to harvest the whole plant, look for stalks that are compact.
It is best to harvest plants that have not had their stalks removed.There are open spaces between the stalks if you check the top of the plant.They should be close together and difficult to separate.It is best to harvest the individual stalks if the plant is not compact at the top.
Step 6: You can harvest the longest stalks on the outside of the plant.
The outer edge of the plants is where stalks should be removed.The inner stalks will grow after the outer stalks are removed.The outer stalks are better for cooking.Pick stalks from closer to the center of the plant if you want to eat them raw.If you want to gather seeds from your plants, you should allow the center stalks to grow.
Step 7: If you don't need the whole plant, separate stalks at the crown.
Use a knife to remove the stalks from the bottom of the plant.While you cut the crown, hold the stalks in your hand.When using a knife in the garden, it is always a good idea to wash the knife after you use it.
Step 8: To remove the whole plant, cut through the crown below the soil line.
Push the soil away from the bottom of the plant until the crown is exposed.Use a knife to cut below the crown to separate the stalks from the roots.If you are cutting across the bottom of the plant, make sure you use a straight line.One of the stalks might be cut off if you cut on a diagonal.As you cut the plant, be sure to hold the top of it upright.If you use scissors, make sure they don't damage the celery.
Step 9: The stalks should be removed at the end of the second year.
After harvesting the celery for two years, the plants will not grow back.Pull the stalks out or dig them out of the ground.The seeds that fall from the remaining stalks at the end of the growing season can be planted the following year if you want more.
Step 10: The leaves of the stalks should be removed.
Pull or cut the outer leaves off of the stalks before you store or eat it.This will help keep the stalks fresh.You can use the leaves in soups and salads.
Step 11: You can store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
It can last in the refrigerator for a long time if the leaves are removed.You can put the stalks in a plastic bag with the end open and leave it in the drawer until you need to use them.The stalks will last for about 3 days with the leaves attached to them.
Step 12: Cut the stalks in water to increase their crispness.
Place the pieces in a container with water if you want them to be extra crisp.The celery will last up to 2 weeks if placed in the refrigerator.The pieces will absorb fresh water if the water is replaced every 1-2 days.If the container has a lid on it, you can cut the pieces to the size you want.