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

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMMXe7M5WZs
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/WMMXe7M5WZs
Generated: 2025-11-27T02:03:59.117+00:00

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## 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.

![Screenshot at 0:06: The comparison setup shows three methods being tested: raw seeds \(uncovered\), pelleted seeds \(uncovered\), and pelleted seeds under a humidity dome with a heat mat, all under pinkish grow lights.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-00-06.png)

**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).

### Celery Seed Starting Comparison

- Raw seed method yielded poor germination; Pelleted seed method (with or without heat/humidity) yielded nearly 100% germination.

### Seed Handling & Germination Environment

- Pelleted seeds are easier to handle than raw seeds; Celery needs light to germinate; Soil surface must stay moist, aided by humidity domes/heat mats in the initial phase.

### Growing Out and Pest Management

- Seedlings are grown under LED grow lights for 16 hours on/8 hours off, controlled by an AC Infinity environmental controller; Beneficial nematodes (NemAttack) are applied to the beds to prevent celery leaf curl, which the speaker noted affected his tomatoes previously.

### Harvesting and Post-Harvest

- Celery grows to about three feet tall; Harvested celery is stored submerged in water in air-tight commercial food storage containers (totes/coolers) to maintain crispness for 30+ days.

### Profitability

- The density (200 plants per bed) and high market price ($1.50/lb) make celery highly profitable, yielding around $1000 per bed.

### Promotional Information

- The speaker promotes the 'Lean Micro Farm Masterclass' by Ben Hartman, offering a $50 coupon code ('MICHAEL') and a 40% off Black Friday sale through December 2nd.

![Screenshot at 0:06: The comparison setup shows three methods being tested: raw seeds \(uncovered\), pelleted seeds \(uncovered\), and pelleted seeds under a humidity dome with a heat mat, all under pinkish grow lights.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-00-06.png)
![Screenshot at 0:04: The grower manually drops pelleted seeds onto the soil surface, demonstrating the precision of the pelleted method.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-00-04.png)
![Screenshot at 16:17: The speaker holds up a celery stalk showing the inner stalks are still pale green, indicating they are not yet fully mature or ready for optimal harvest.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-16-17.png)
![Screenshot at 14:43: A worker uses a specialized tool to quickly roll out a frost blanket \(Agribon 50\) over the high tunnel rows to protect the winter crops.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-14-43.png)
![Screenshot at 28:27: The grower demonstrates storing harvested celery submerged in water inside a clear plastic tote inside the refrigerated trailer to maintain crispness.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WMMXe7M5WZs/00-28-27.png)