Celery might seem like just another vegetable, but it’s actually a superstar when it comes to nutrition and versatility! From crunchy snacks to adding flavour to soups and stews, celery is a kitchen favourite. And guess what? Growing celery hydroponically isn’t just fun, it’s also super efficient!
Learn how to grow this green beauty in water!
Why grow celery hydroponically indoors?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants get their nutrients from water. Growing celery this way is amazing because:
- It uses less space, making it perfect for indoor setups.
- You’ll save water compared to traditional gardening.
- You can grow celery all year round, no matter the weather.
Step 1: Choosing your hydroponic system
There are several types of hydroponic systems you can use to grow celery, but here are two of the most popular ones:
- Ebb and flow system
- This system works by flooding the plant roots with a nutrient rich solution and then draining it back into a reservoir. It’s great for plants like celery that like consistent access to water.
- Deep water culture (DWC)
- In this system, the celery roots are suspended in oxygenated, nutrient rich water. It’s easy to set up and works really well for celery because it ensures the plant gets all the nutrients it needs to grow tall and strong.
Our favourite: We love using the Deep Water Culture (DWC) system because it’s simple, efficient, and perfect for indoor gardening.
Step 2: Starting your celery seeds
Before you can transfer celery plants into your hydroponic system, you’ll need to start them as seedlings. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a growing medium:Use a material like coco coir (our favourite!) or rockwool. These materials make it easy to remove seedlings without hurting their roots.
- Plant the seeds: Plant your celery seeds about 1/8 inch deep into the growing medium. Cover them lightly and keep the medium moist.
- Care for the seedlings: Keep the seedlings moist, but don’t overwater them. Once the tiny plants grow a few “true leaves” (these are the real leaves, not the baby ones), they’re ready for the next step.
Step 3: Transplanting into your hydroponic system
Now that your celery seedlings are strong enough, it’s time to move them to their new hydroponic home! Here’s what to do:
- Prepare the net pots: Net pots are small containers with holes that hold your plants while allowing the roots to grow through into the water below. Carefully place the seedlings inside and then fill the net pots with your leca clay pebbles.
- Spacing: Make sure to give each plant enough space to grow. Celery needs room for its stalks to spread and for air to circulate.
- Set It up in the system: Place the net pots into your DWC system (or whichever system you’re using) and ensure the roots are touching the nutrient rich water below.
Step 4: Feeding our celery
Celery is a hungry plant, so you’ll need to feed it with the right nutrients to help it grow strong and healthy. Here’s what celery loves:
- Magnesium and Calcium: These minerals help make celery stalks strong and crunchy.
- Hydroponic Nutrients: Use a nutrient solution specifically designed for hydroponic plants. Follow the instructions on the label to mix the solution properly. Check the pH level of the water regularly. Celery prefers a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. You can use a pH testing kit for this.
Step 5: Watching it grow and harvest
Growing celery takes a little patience, but it’s so worth it!
- Growth timeline: Celery takes about 120 to 140 days (4 to 5 months) to fully mature when grown hydroponically. That’s a bit long, but don’t worry, you can start harvesting before then!
- Harvesting individual stalks: If you just need a little celery for a snack or recipe, you can cut individual stalks as needed. Use a sharp knife and cut close to the base of the stalk.
- Harvesting the whole plant: When the plant is fully grown, you can harvest the entire thing if you like. Simply pull it out of the net pot and enjoy!
- Regrowing from Scraps: Did you know you can regrow celery from leftovers? If you have a store bought celery base, place it in water for a few days until it starts forming roots. Once you see roots, you can transfer it to your hydroponic system or even plant it outside.
Tips to prevent rotting
Celery loves water, but too much moisture can sometimes cause the base to rot. To avoid this:
- Change the water in your system regularly.
- Make sure the growing medium isn’t too soggy.
- Keep an eye on your plants and remove any rotting parts immediately.
Growing celery hydroponically is a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you’re using a sophisticated hydroponic system or just starting out with scraps in a glass of water, you’ll love watching your celery grow into a crunchy, nutritious treat. Happy growing, and don’t forget to have fun with it!
