Personally, I think so simply because it requires so much water. Prefers almost marshy soil. I've done it but it is one of those things that take more work than its worth for me.

Dave

I've had good success growing celery root. A homelier veggie cannot be found but mashed with potatoes - it is great! And, it can be used in all the same ways as its cousin, celery.

I remember commenting on celery root (celeriac) a couple of years ago. The thread is linked below.

By now, I must have 5 years experience growing this vegetable. It is back in the same location in 'o8 as it was in 'o6. With a cooler growing season, the plants are doing very well. You should know that I no longer believe that shade is such a wonderful thing for celery root. Hot, arid conditions are not the best but that is, however, what usually prevail here. Celery root can do well, nonetheless.

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Any experience growing celeriac / celery root?

Also easy is cutting celery--grows somewhat like parsley with an intense celery flavor, in fact really too strong to eat raw, but great wherever celery is called for for flavoring.

'Cutting celery' sounds like lovage.
Somebody just gave us a celery plant which I potted up. Seems amazing to grow it in this climate. The whole plant is a foot tall, the stalks are narrow, the leaves big and deep green - altogether a more intense flavour than store bought.
I agree about celery root - celeriac - wonderful, though I've only had it grated in a mixed root salad, with grated beets and carrots, all three lightly steamed - that was delicious. I grew some one year and they were barely bigger than golf balls, which was discouraging. One of these years will try again. Seems celery and celeriac need a lot of attention and rich wet soil, which we don't have.

Celery for us took about 9 months to grow! planted it in early spring (someone else did sow so I am not sure what seed type or source), we are enjoying it now, still small stalks but vary flavorful and a little bit goes a long way. The leaves are really nice too, both in salads uses as an herb and to flavor soups. I suppose it must be a perennial in this climate? It is giving signs of liking it and wanting to stay. I just keep cutting it and it grows right back.

Just to cover my bases we also have lovage growing, good bee plant and can be used as celery. I would use it only cooked though, flavor seems a bit strong raw. Maybe we do not have the best climate for celery, but who wants to go to the store for half a rib of celery when you are already growing all the other veggies you are putting in that soup? now I wish I had just a little bit more luck with potatoes (trying again this fall).

I asked a guy that was selling it at our farmer's market last year, because mine was always so thin and stringy, and this is what he told me. "You cannot give celery enough chicken manure to keep it happy."
So, since I have chickens, I thought I would give it one more try this year. I grew 4 plants in a 5 gallon pot from the nursery and 2 more in my garden. They all did very well. I have one plant (in the garden)that is 8 inches around at the base. The stalks are about 2 feet tall and 1" to 1 1/2" across at the base. If you 'blanch' it (hill it like a potato) the stalks become lighter green and more tender. I am for sure going to grow celery again next year. Maybe only 4 plants though, as I have been just doing a pick as you go harvest and have more than enough celery to keep us happy.
I also grow lovage, but usually dry it for use in the winter. Definately try it, give it lots of manure, or any high nitrogen fertalizer and you should have good results. As for the water requirements, it rains so much here, I didn't have to give it any special treatment, but if you are in a dry climate, you may need to keep an eye on it. It will start to look droopy (like celery that's been in the fridge too long!) but will perk up again when you water it.

Cutting celery and lovage are different plants. I grew lovage many years ago. Now just sow cutting celery annually, and it doesn't neet much water, in fact does well even when it gets very dry.

I started some seeds from Botanical Interests (I think that's the name) called "Utah" (improved)about 3 years ago. It set seeds then, which have since sprouted on their own, and I have celery growing in many places, self-sown. It will tolerate shade, wet spots - loves wet spots, hates too much sun, heat, dry soil.

I don't plant anymore, have cultivated the seeds for seasonings, stalks are cut for food or fed to the chickens and the excess is composted.

This particular brand likes it here. I don't bother to blanch it, as we aren't particularly big celery eaters otherwise. It is mostly used in stews, salads, and such, but so nice to have it handy in the garden (not running to the store).

Go for it - give ample water tho. Mine are growing (self-seeded) in 3 x 6 planter boxes, sprinkled in among the other veggies.

Bejay

I've grown Celery and Lovage for the last 4 years now. I am in zone 3a though it seems colder than that at times. I buy starts when I can find them but always start seed in late February. I try and get seedlings in the ground at the start of May and water daily. Sometimes twice daily depending on the weather. I put hair scrunchies on them this year, it worked well. I tried Celeriac this year unsuccessfully from seed.
I would suggest that you buy a few starts from the local greenhouse and see how it works for you. They know the local growing conditions so you should find all the guidance you need there if you start having trouble.

I had a terrible experience trying to grow it I watered it and then watered it and then watered watered and watered it .... well it grew wnd grew infact it became just under 3 feet tall but it was hollow , stringy thin , and bitter to the point that it became compost 'all of it' except one small patch still growing and it is exactly the same as the my main patch . NEVER AGAIN UGH !.

I'm growing celery for the first time this year. Started seeds in moist paper towel in mid-August, transferred to a flat when they sprouted and planted them in the garden when they reached 2.5 inches tall. They've doubled in size since. I read that the heirloom red stalked varieties are easier to grow with a more intense flavour so I'm growing Redventure from John Scheepers. Can't wait to taste it in another six weeks or so!

Here's some of this year's crop, just getting to full size:

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I started them from seed. I would characterize celery as very long-season and not easy to start from seed (of course carrot is not easy to start for me either, and it doesn't lend itself to transplanting as celery does). Celery is pretty tough though, and more shade-tolerant as a seedling than a lot of species. This year I lost some plants entirely under other fast-growing stuff but they re-emerged later not much the worse.

I'll look for the red-leaved cultivar, that sounds interesting.......

bejay9 10- Utah Improved was one of the two cultivars I've been considering. The other is Tango. It's encouraging to hear that it grew so well for you.

pnbrown - What cultivar of celery is that in your picture?

Has anyone else tried Utah Improved or Tango? Any preference for one or the other?

"golden self-blanching" I think it was labeled. Got it from bountiful gardens.

I've heard of that one when I was searching the internet for a good variety. I'll have to look into it some more. Thanks for letting me know. :)

Started it last year in early March and it did very well. By midsummer it was producing enough good-sized stalks to cut daily for fresh eating and soups.