Growing celery from the root, also known as regrowing celery, is a simple and cost-effective way to enjoy fresh celery without purchasing new seeds or seedlings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow celery from the root:

1. Purchase Celery with Roots:

  • Start with a bunch of celery from the grocery store or farmer’s market. Choose celery with intact roots, as this is crucial for regrowth.

2. Cut Celery Stalks:

  • Trim the celery stalks, leaving about 2 inches of the base with the roots attached. Use the celery stalks for cooking or eating.

3. Prepare a Container:

  • Select a container or pot with drainage holes. The container should be deep enough to accommodate the celery roots and provide space for growth.

4. Plant the Celery Root:

  • Plant the celery root in the prepared container with the cut side facing upward. Cover the roots with soil, leaving the top exposed.

5. Watering:

  • Water the planted celery root thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. Ensure that the container has proper drainage.

6. Sunlight:

  • Place the container in a location that receives partial to full sunlight. Celery prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

7. Continue Watering:

  • Water the celery regularly to maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Celery requires consistent watering to prevent the soil from drying out.

8. Growth and Harvest:

  • The celery plant will begin to regrow from the center of the base. You can harvest individual celery stalks once they reach a sufficient size. Cut the outer stalks near the base, allowing the inner stalks to continue growing.

9. Fertilization (Optional):

  • If you want to encourage faster growth, you can fertilize the celery with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Follow the recommended application rates on the fertilizer packaging.

Tips:

  • Root Division: If the celery root has multiple shoots, you can carefully divide the root into sections and plant each section in a separate container.
  • Regrowth Period: Celery regrowth from the root may not result in a plant identical to the original celery bunch from the store, but it can provide you with fresh, homegrown celery.
  • Continuous Harvest: Celery regrows from the center, so you can continue harvesting outer stalks while allowing inner ones to develop.

Growing celery from the root is a simple and economical way to enjoy fresh celery. It’s a great project for beginners, and it’s particularly satisfying to watch the regrowth process. Remember that celery is a cool-season crop, so it’s ideal for growing in spring or fall.

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