Growing Celery From Seed Was Surprisingly EASY! (Seed-to-Harvest)

Quick Overview

Growing celery from seed was surprisingly easy using the pelleted seed method, which resulted in nearly 100% germination across all tested trays, even those without heat mats, contrasting with the lower success rate of raw seeds.

Key Points: The pelleted seed method for celery achieved nearly 100% germination, significantly outperforming the raw seed method. The grower tested three different methods, including raw seed, pelleted seed, and pelleted seed with a humidity dome/heat mat. Celery requires light to germinate, and the surface must remain consistently moist, which the humidity dome helped maintain for the pelleted seeds. The grower uses Johnny's Selected Seeds 'Tango OG' celery variety, noting that the pelleted seeds are easier to handle than the raw seeds. The final celery stalks grew to about three feet tall, and the grower harvests them by cutting the entire head, which sells for $4 per bunch or $1.50 per pound. Beneficial nematodes (NemAttack) were applied to the beds after transplanting to control soil-borne pests that cause celery leaf curl.

Context: The video is a tutorial and comparison demonstrating three methods for starting celery seeds indoors: raw seed, pelleted seed broadcast on the soil surface, and pelleted seed under a humidity dome/heat mat. The grower, an executive chef turned micro-farmer, compares the germination rates and overall health of the resulting seedlings to determine the most efficient method for growing this high-value, high-water-content crop.

Detailed Analysis

The video details an experiment comparing three methods for starting celery seeds indoors: raw seed, pelleted seed broadcast on the soil surface, and pelleted seed placed on a heat mat under a humidity dome. The grower used Johnny's Selected Seeds 'Tango OG' celery. Celery requires light to germinate and consistent surface moisture. The pelleted seed method proved superior, achieving nearly 100% germination across all trays, regardless of whether a heat mat/dome was used, unlike the raw seeds which struggled. The grower used Vermont Compost Fort Vee potting soil and lightly dusted the surface with perlite to maintain moisture without burying the seeds. After germination, the seedlings were transplanted into 72-cell trays, with the strongest seedlings selected. Later, when transplanting into the high tunnel beds, the grower applied beneficial nematodes (NemAttack) to the soil to prevent soil-borne pests that cause celery leaf curl, noting that the nematode treatment was effective where the tomato plants previously suffered from disease. The celery plants grew to about three feet tall, yielding large, crisp stalks that command a high market price ($4 per bunch or $1.50/lb) when sold directly to restaurants or at farmers' markets. The grower emphasizes that the final product is high quality and crisp due to the controlled environment and proper post-harvest handling (submerging in water in an air-tight cooler).