Is it worth growing your own celery?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.The benefits of growing your own celery are obvious when compared to the tasteless, crunchy green in the store. The intense flavor of your own sprouts will make them desirable, but for one thing: dressing up the ribs. You can use no poisons on the homegrown stalks. You can experiment and grow varieties not found in your store. You will gain an experience not found in your store.
Flavor and Quality
- Superior taste from fresh harvest versus transport-stressed store celery
- Crisp texture maintained by immediate use after picking
- Variety options like red celery unavailable commercially
Economic Advantages
- Cost savings averaging $1.50 per bunch over 6-month harvest
- Continuous yield from regrowth versus single-use store bunches
- Seed savings through scrap propagation
Plant an edible garden and you will experience the satisfaction that comes from nurturing plants from seed to harvest. You'll feel more connected to what's for dinner when you have watched celery grow through the months. Children learn plant biology through experience. Families build bonds by engaging in ritual care of the garden. They may forget the veg, but not the memories made digging in the dirt.
Specialty varieties broaden your options even further. Try Pink Plume for colorful salads, or Giant Prague for extra-large stalks. These varieties are rarely found in stores. You control when they are pulled by harvesting only what you need when you need it, resulting in the least amount of waste.
Your initial investment will quickly pay off. You can squeeze 20 or more plants from a $4 seed packet. Regrown scraps are free. Compare that to the weekly store-bought purchases you'd make. After one season of cash savings, you really start to make money. Containers and other equipment will last for years. And the knowledge carries over to every other plant you grow.
Get started, even if it's on a small scale - just a couple of plants or a bit of cuttings, and don't be afraid of wise varieties like Tango. Use the hints as described and incorporate the fresh celery difference into your cooking. You acquire a pride in your celery garden.
Read the full article: How to Grow Celery: Expert Tips for Success
