How I Preserve My Celery Harvest

This year, I decided to give celery planting a shot and went all in with 12 celery plants. Let me tell you, it was a bit of a learning curve. Turns out, starting celery from seeds in February is a no-go because celery likes to take its own sweet time. So, I had to hit up Home Depot for some pre-grown celery plants, standing tall at 6 inches. Luckily, it all worked out in the end, and I had a killer celery harvest.

Now, growing celery? That takes some serious patience. But once those Spring rains kicked in, it was like watching a rocket launch with how fast those plants shot up.

In the end, my 12 plants churned out 3 gallon-sized bags of frozen sliced celery and a ton of celery leaves. Okay, maybe not 243 bags worth, but you get the picture. I managed to stash away 2 gallon-sized bags of those leaves for later use. Here’s hoping it’s enough to last me a while!

How To Harvest Celery

Alright, before you start yanking those celery plants out of the ground, you gotta know when they’re ready to roll. So here’s the lowdown: keep an eye on those stalks. When they’re nice and thick, usually around 12-18 inches tall including the leaves, and the usable stalks are at least 6 inches long, that’s your cue. The leaves should be lush and green, and the stalks firm to the touch.

Now, here’s the thing: you can cover them with some dirt or straw a couple of weeks before harvest to blanch the stalks and mellow out any bitterness. But hey, if you’re like me and a bit impatient, skipping this step won’t ruin your harvest.

So, once you’ve sized up your celery and it’s looking prime, get your grip low to the base and give it a hefty pull. The roots will come out with it, like pulling a plant out of a pot. Leave the dirt in the garden where it belongs. Give those roots the boot before you transfer your celery from the garden. Then, it’s time to fill up those baskets and revel in your green thumb glory!

How To Remove Celery Roots After Harvest

So, once you’ve yanked that celery out of the ground, it’s time to kick those roots to the curb. My hubby wielded this nifty rectangular blade thingy to get the job done. Check it out in the pic!

We tossed those roots back into the celery patch for some soil TLC. They’ll break down and nourish another plant next year. Or hey, if you’re feeling extra green-thumbed, like me, toss in some leftover tomato plants!

Now, here’s the scoop: you’ve got about 6 hours to either chill those celery stalks or preserve them, or they will start to go soft on you. My go-to? Slicing ’em up and popping ’em in the freezer. But first, give ’em a good rinse to shake off any bugs, dirt, or other gunk. I will talk you through it below.

How To Wash Harvested Celery

So, if you’ve made it this far, you’ve got some root-filled, grimy celery still hanging out at the base. I tackled this step on my front porch to keep the mess and critters outside. Grab yourself a cutting board and a trusty knife.

One by one, slice those stalks from the base. I tossed the bases into my compost pile, but hey, if you’d rather chuck ’em, go for it.

Now, once you’ve got those stalks, leaves still intact, give ’em a good rinse with the garden hose. It’s definitely handy to have a buddy for this part. Then, bring those squeaky-clean celery stalks into the kitchen and get ready to chop and freeze!

How to Prepare Celery For Freezing

Here are some easy, yet time-consuming steps (I mean, I find it very relaxing) to ensure you have loads of garden-fresh celery all year long.

1. Slice the Stalks: Cut the stalks from the leaves and then slice the stalks into small pieces. Since I use them mostly in dishes I am cooking, the size in the image below works well for me.
2. Blanch the Slices: Prepare a large pot by filling it halfway with water and bringing it to a boil. Meanwhile, fill a bowl with ice and water. You want about a half-and-half ratio of ice to water to ensure the celery cools quickly enough. Place the celery into the pot and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove to the ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with paper towels to dry mostly.
3. Freeze the Slices: Remove the paper towel from the cookie sheet and arrange the celery in an even layer. Use multiple cookie sheets if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap and then place them into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Transfer to freezer-safe containers or baggies. Label with vegetable name and date.

Now, don’t throw out those leaves! See below for reasons to save them and how to freeze them.

Celery Leaves Are a Secret Weapon In Cooking

Celery leaves pack a punch in both flavor and nutrition, even though they often get overlooked. Here’s what you can do with them:

• Spice up soups and stews: Chop those leaves and toss them into your bubbling pot. They’ll add a kick of flavor that’ll take your soups and stews up a notch.
• Get creative with garnishes: Sprinkle those vibrant leaves on top of salads, sandwiches, or any dish that needs a little pop of color and taste.
• Whip up some pesto: Blend those leaves with nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for a unique twist on pesto. It’s perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or dipping.
• Toss them in salads: Forget boring greens; toss in some celery leaves for a zesty addition to your salads.
• Infuse oils or vinegars: Let those leaves steep in oils or vinegars for a subtle celery flavor that’ll elevate your dressings, marinades, or even cocktails.
• DIY celery salt: Dry out those leaves and mix them with salt for your very own seasoning blend.
• Brew some herbal tea: Steep celery leaves on their own or mix them with mint or lemon balm for a refreshing herbal tea that’s perfect hot or cold.

In short, celery leaves are like a secret weapon in the kitchen, ready to add flavor, nutrition, and flair to your dishes.

How To Freeze Celery Leaves

• Roll up your sleeves and start plucking those leaves off the stalks. You can use scissors or your hands to do this.
• Spread out the leaves on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry them off a bit.
• Grab some freezer bags and start filling them with the leaves. You can divide them into smaller batches if you prefer.
• Press out any excess air from the bags before sealing them shut.
• Don’t forget to label the bags with the date so you know when they were harvested.
• Pop the bags into the freezer, and you’re done! Now you’ve got a supply of frozen celery leaves ready to use whenever you need them.

My adventure with celery planting turned out to be quite the ride. Learning the ropes, from seed to harvest, was a journey in itself. But hey, with a bit of trial and error (and a trip to Home Depot), I managed to pull off a stellar celery harvest.

Now, if you’re diving into the world of celery growing, just remember: patience is key. But once those plants get going, it’s like watching nature work its magic.

In the end, my 12 plants delivered a bounty of frozen sliced celery and a stash of leaves fit for a chef’s dream. And let’s not forget those leftover tomato plants finding new life in the celery dirt!

So, whether you’re eating right away or freezing them for later, here’s to fresh celery straight from the garden, ready to elevate your culinary creations. Happy gardening, everyone!