Is it a herb or a vegetable? Whichever way you view it, celery has been grown for its nutritional and medicinal properties for at least 3000 years. All you need is a row of plants, or some in containers, to have a constant supply of crunchy green stems for salads, juicing or adding to stir-fries, slow cooked stews and soups.

Growing

The secret of good celery is to produce ‘soft’ stems, which are more edible, with a milder taste and crunchier, yet juicy texture. If celery stems are tough and thin it could be the variety but is more likely to be the result of insufficient water, lack of food or too much sun.

Celery grows best in morning sun, in moist, fertile soil that has been well composted. It can also be grown in containers in well-enriched potting soil.

Water regularly and mulch; the soil should not dry out, especially in containers. Fertilise twice a month (or weekly at half strength) with a nitrogen rich liquid feed.

Seed sowing tips

Sow seed into trays and cover until plants germinate, within 10 to 20 days. When seedlings show three true leaves, transplant into individual pots or directly into beds. This severs the tap root which encourages the development of a better root system. Set plants out a little deeper than they were in the seedling tray, but don’t cover the growing point.

Companion planting

Grow celery with other edible plants that have the same water, light and nutrition requirements, such as cabbage, beans, leeks, lettuce, spring onions, spinach and tomatoes. Celery improves the health and flavour of cabbages, in particular, and repels white cabbage butterfly.

Harvesting celery

The easiest way to eat celery is to harvest the outer stems when you feel they are thick enough to eat. Alternatively, harvest the whole plant when it is mature by forking it out of the ground.

Chunky tomato, celery and bean soup

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon extra to drizzle
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 x 400g cans cannellini beans, rinsed, drained
2 cups (500ml) Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock
5 tomatoes (750g total), chopped
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
4 wholegrain bread rolls, to serve

Method
1) Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2) Add onion, celery, rosemary and garlic and stir for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
3) Add beans, stock and tomatoes.
4) Season with salt and pepper, bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened.
5) Stir in parsley, then spoon soup into bowls.
6) Drizzle with extra oil and serve with bread rolls.

Potato and celery salad with yoghurt dressing

Courtesy Taste

Ingredients
1kg potatoes, halved
1/4 cup Greek Style Yoghurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
1 1/2 cups watercress sprigs
3 celery stalks, sliced
1/2 cup torn fresh mint leaves

Method
Place potato in a saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes or until potato is tender. Drain. Refresh under cold running water. Drain. Cut potatoes in half.
Place yoghurt, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. Place potato, watercress, celery and mint in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing. Toss to combine. Serve.