In 1930, long before insecticides ruined our lives, back when wilted celery might occasionally appear on the green grocer's sidewalk table, life expectancy was 59.7 years. Today, with insecticides and chemical interventions and refrigeration cutting our lives short, the average life expectancy is 78 years.

We need to go back to the good old days when foods were pure and pristine. Sure, we might die younger, but hey, it will be without pesticides....I know I'll feel better when I kick the bucket at 58 rather than 78.

I am speechless.
Sammy

Now Robert, really, is it time to adjust your medication again? You can trust me. I'm your friend.

Sammy, I have grown celery here in OK, but i grew it mainly in my greenhouse.

I dont remember exactly when i started it, but i know it was during the winter months.

The variety was Tango. I did sell some plants one year and i know some of the people said it did ok. But they were mainly just using a little at a time instead of cutting the whole plant off.

I'm sure you can grow it if you have a sunny but cool location. It likes fertile, moist soil, but not water logged.probably where it would receive morning sun but protected from the hot afternoon sun would be best.

I copied the below article.

Growing celery is generally considered to be the ultimate vegetable gardening challenge. It has a very long growing season but a very low tolerance for both heat and cold. There is not much flavor difference between the home grown variety and the store bought variety so most gardeners grow a celery plant purely for the challenge it poses. Read on to find out more about the best way to grow celery in your garden.

Starting Celery Seeds
Because a celery plant has such a long maturity time, unless you live in a location with long growing seasons, you need to start celery seeds indoors at least 8 � 10 weeks before the last frost date for your area.

Celery seeds are tiny and tricky to plant. Try mixing them with sand and then sprinkling the sand/seed mix over the pots you will be starting the celery plants in. Cover the seeds with just a little bit of soil. Celery seeds like to be planted shallowly.

Once the celery seeds have sprouted and are large enough, either thin the seedlings or prick them out to their own pots.

Planting Celery in the Garden
Once the temperatures outside are consistently above 50F, you can plant your celery into your garden. Remember that celery is very temperature sensitive, so don�t plant it out too early or you will kill or weaken the celery plant.

Unless you live in a location that is ideal to grow celery plants, you are best planting your celery where it will get 6 hours of sun, but preferably somewhere that the celery plant will be shaded for the hottest part of the day.

Also, make sure that where you will be growing celery has rich soil. Celery needs lots of nutrients to grow well.

Grow Celery in your Garden
A growing celery plant needs a lot of water. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist and do not forget to water them. Celery can not tolerate drought of any kind. If the ground is not kept consistently moist, it will negatively affect the taste of the celery.

You will also need to fertilize regularly to keep up with the nutrient needs of the celery plant.

Blanching Celery
Many gardeners prefer to blanche their celery to make them more tender, but be aware that when blanching celery, you are reducing the amount of vitamins in the celery plant. Blanching celery turns the green part of the plant white.

Blanching celery is done one of two ways. The first way is to just slowly build a mound around a growing celery plant. Every few days add a little more dirt and at harvest the celery plant will be blanched.

The other method is to cover the lower half of the celery plant with thick brown paper or cardboard a few weeks before you plan to harvest the celery.

Conclusion
Now that you know how to grow celery, you can give it a try in your own garden. We can�t guarantee that you will be able to grow celery successfully, but at least you can say you tried growing celery.

The seeds are tiny,tiny tiny.

Like I've said before I've grown celery here several times with good results. I had planned to grow some this year but not sure I will be able to find the time. I start seeds here from early to mid Feb usually. I would have to check on the different varieties I've grown. I know one was called Tall Utah. Another variety that has done well for me is one they grow in CO just to the west of me. I do mulch around it 2-4 inches deep with straw. In my opinion and the opinion of those who I've shared it with it is a little stronger in flavor. Mine is always a dark green. I prefer homegrown celery myself. I know most articles say there isn't much if any difference. The other thing again I want to know what mine was sprayed with. I've tried it on the north side of the house with more shade and in the open and have never seen that the summer heat has hurt it. It does grow a little slower. Take a big jump then from Sept till frost. Jay

I started to ask "contaminated with what?" (of course, I'd say contaminated with terrible taste), then I saw spade's response. Classic!

If you are just looking for the flavor, you might try "Cutting Celery". It grows and looks alot like Italian Parsley only bigger and will grow very well here in Oklahoma. It makes lots of leaves that have a good celery flavor.

I plan on growing cutting celery.

Love the response spade!!! hehehehehehe....

Thanks for your responses. I think I will back off from it, and stick to what I have been trying for another year or so.

Sammy