It’s hard not to use celery when you’re cooking. From bringing the crunch to Sloppy Joes and chicken salad or holding together “ants on a log,” it seems to be a supporting ingredient in absolutely everything.
The best reason to love this crunchy vegetable is that celery can be re-grown–from scraps you don’t use! (Having a green thumb is optional.) Here’s our step-by-step guide to get you growing:
1. Cut Off the Roots
When you’re ready to start cooking, chop off the bottom 2″ at the base of the stalk. (This is the part you probably wouldn’t eat anyway.) You can use everything else in your recipe, but the base is for our growing magic!
2. Bring Water & Sun
Place the base in a shallow bowl of warm water. You’re going to want the rough side facing down and the stalk side facing up. Make sure the bottom inch of the base is fully submerged in water and the top part is above water. It’s a balancing act–toothpicks help.
Place the celery bowl on a sunny windowsill or near a window. Change out the water every day or so.
3. Watch the Celery Grow
The plant will regenerate after about 5 to 7 days. How crazy is that? The small yellow leaves in the middle of the base will begin to grow and turn a dark green. The outer stalks may dry out or turn brown, but fear not, this is normal! Don’t leave it in water for too much longer, though, because the outer stalk will start to rot.
4. Plant & Water
Depending on the growth of your plant, it should be ready to plant in soil after about a week. You can use a container or replant directly into your garden, if the weather is cool and conditions are good. Just make sure the new little leaves are sticking above the soil!
Like any plant, celery will continue to grow with sunlight and water. It needs moist soil, but the ground shouldn’t be overly wet.
5. Enjoy It!
It will take about 4 months to grow, and then it’s ready for harvest. Now, what to do with this homegrown celery? You could use a stalk or two in this Chicken Noodle Soup, but honestly, the options are endless!
It’s a good year to flex your green thumb and start that kitchen herb garden or even grow your own superfoods. Happy gardening!
More Recipes for Garden-Fresh Produce
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Grilled Peach, Rice & Arugula Salad
This hearty salad was created when I needed to clear out some leftovers from the fridge—and it became an instant hit! The grilled peaches are the ultimate "tastes like summer" salad booster. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
Heirloom Tomato Galette with Pecorino
I found beautiful heirloom tomatoes and had to show them off. In this easy galette, the tomatoes are tangy and the crust is beyond buttery. —Jessica Chang, Playa Vista, California
Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! At potlucks it gets eaten up quickly, even by folks who don’t normally go for rhubarb. Use your own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
Fresh Sugar Snap Pea Salad
We found fresh sugar snap peas at our town's farmers market. They make a cheerful salad with a tangy dressing. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Blueberry-Dijon Chicken
Blueberries and chicken may seem like a strange combination, but prepare to be pleasantly surprised. I add a sprinkling of minced fresh basil as the finishing touch. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Flamboyant Flamenco Summer Salad
I came up with this salad simply by choosing the best-looking vegetables at a local farmers market—the colors are so beautiful! Turn it into a full vegetarian meal by adding roasted garbanzo beans or cooked white beans. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Sausage Ratatouille
You’ll feel like Ratatouille’s great chef, Remy, when you serve this veggie-packed dish party guests will rave about. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you: Pantry staples and an easy-cook method make this one a cinch. —Janine Freeman, Blaine, Washington
Vibrant Black-Eyed Pea Salad
My black-eyed pea salad reminds me of a southern cooking class my husband and I took while visiting Savannah, Georgia. People go nuts for it at picnics and potlucks. —Danielle Lee, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta
I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market and the result was amazing. —Kate Stiltner, Rockford, Michigan
Freezer Sweet Corn
People ask me how to freeze corn on the cob because my frozen corn tastes as good as fresh! This way it stays crisp-tender and now I can have "fresh" corn any time of the year. —Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, Minnesota
Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
I grow zucchini by the bushel, so this pizza casserole is one of my dinnertime go-to's. My hungry husband and kids gobble it right up. —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Iva's Peach Cobbler
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Balsamic Three-Bean Salad
Here's my little girl's favorite salad. She eats it just about as fast as I can make it. Make it ahead so the flavors have plenty of time to get to know each other. —Stacey Feather, Jay, Oklahoma
Raspberry Peach Jam
While my jam won a first-place pink ribbon at our local county fair, that may not be the highest compliment it's received. Two girlfriends that I share it with tell me if they don't hide the jam from their husbands and children, they'll devour an entire jarful at just a sitting! —Patricia Larsen, Leslieville, Alberta
Buttery Horseradish Corn on the Cob
For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California
Grilled Sausages with Summer Vegetables
After 30 years of camping, we've come up with an arsenal of surefire recipes. Our grilled sausage with veggies would be a superstar at a potluck. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio
Sweet & Sour Squash Salad
This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas
Blueberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
We live in blueberry country, and this pie is a perfect way to showcase the luscious berries. A neighbor first made this for us several years ago. It’s become our iconic summer treat. —R. Ricks, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice Cream
No matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Dill Garden Salad
I love to cut up whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand and toss them with this delicious dressing and fresh dill. This salad shows up on our table regularly during the summer. —Bethany Martin, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Spinach-Basil Pesto
Toss this garlicky, rich pesto with pasta or use as a spread. It also freezes well for fresh flavor over the winter. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Refrigerator Garden Pickles
Canning isn't necessary for these crisp-tender, tangy pickles. Keep them in the fridge and eat them up within a month. —Linda Chapman, Meriden, Iowa
Peach Smoothie
Whip up this creamy concoction as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas
Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette
We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia
Grilled Nectarine & Cheese Crostini
At our house, we love the summer tastes of sweet grilled nectarines and fresh basil over goat cheese. I can usually find all the ingredients at the farmers market. —Brandy Hollingshead, Grass Valley, California
Jumbleberry Crumble
A friend brought this delicious, down-home dessert to church and was kind enough to give out the recipe. Everyone enjoyed it so much and just showered her with compliments! It’s especially wonderful served warm or with a dollop of creamy whipped topping. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Colorful Corn Salsa
This colorful salsa is worth the extra time it takes to grill the ears of corn. The flavor goes well with barbecued meats, but it's also tasty served with chips. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Heirloom Tomato & Zucchini Salad
Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Caribbean-Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Peach Salsa
I love this recipe because of the depth of flavors and burst of colors. It's quick and easy to make. It's best when peaches are in season, but you could try strawberries or pineapple instead. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Blueberry-Rhubarb Crumble
A dollop of whipped topping adds a nice finishing touch to this satisfying crumble. Sometimes I drizzle a little flavored coffee creamer on top instead of the whipped topping. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
Strawberry Watermelon Slush
We like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Teriyaki Shish Kabobs
When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
Angel Strawberry Dessert
This angel dessert is a wonderful treat when fresh strawberries are readily available. Every time I make this pretty strawberry angel food cake, someone asks for the recipe. —Theresa Mathis, Tucker, Georgia
Raspberry Custard Kuchen
Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It's no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington
Grilled Pork with Avocado Salsa
I love the zesty taste of this moist grilled tenderloin. The cumin, avocado and jalapeno give it Southwestern flair. It's an easy, elegant way to prepare pork. —Josephine Devereaux Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania.
Colorful Quinoa Salad
My youngest daughter recently learned she has to avoid gluten, dairy and eggs, which gave me a new challenge in the kitchen. I put this quinoa salad together as a side we could all share. We love it for leftovers, too. —Catherine Turnbull, Burlington, Ontario
Peaches 'n Cream
For moms and daughters who want to bond in the kitchen, start with seasonal fruit and cream to plate up in simple, refreshing ways. —Dorit Ritter-Haddad, Livingston, New Jersey
Yellow Squash & Watermelon Salad
I always like to bring this to parties and potlucks, and people seem to really appreciate having a healthy option. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois
Spicy Chunky Salsa
Vinegar adds a refreshing tang to this sweet tomato salsa. It's wonderful as is, but for more heat, leave in some hot pepper seeds. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington
Stone Fruit Pie
You can use any type of stone fruit in this pie. I love combining white peaches with sour cherries! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Mediterranean Cobb Salad
I'm a huge fan of taking classic dishes and adding some flair to them. I also like to change up heavier dishes, like Cobb salad. I've traded out typical chicken for crunchy falafel that's just as satisfying. — Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Oregon's Best Marionberry Pie
I believe Oregon marionberries make about the best berry pie in the world. And when you add some cream cheese and flavorings, you'll be making the best even better! —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Grilled Honey Balsamic-Glazed Fruit
One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Blueberry-Blackberry Rustic Tart
My dad would always stop the car on the side of the road in Maine and say, "I smell blueberries." He had a pail ready. Then Mom would bake the wild berries in a cornmeal crust to make this homey tart. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Raspberry Pie Squares
Making pie for a crowd may seem impossible, but not when you turn to this crowd-pleasing recipe! The sweet-tart raspberry filling pairs well with a flaky homemade pastry. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter
I created a lime butter especially for grilled corn and love to add fresh cilantro from my garden. —Andrea Reynolds, Westlake, Ohio
Zucchini Cupcakes
I asked my grandmother for this recipe after trying these irresistible spice cupcakes at her home. I love their creamy caramel frosting. They're such a scrumptious dessert you actually forget you're eating your vegetables, too! —Virginia Lapierre, Greensboro Bend, Vermont
Crisp Cucumber Salsa
Here's a fantastic way to use cucumbers. You'll love the creamy and crunchy texture and super fresh flavors. —Charlene Skjerven, Hoolpe, North Dakota
Minty Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing, beautiful watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Quick Watermelon Cooler
Summer means cooling off with a slice of watermelon and a glass of cold lemonade. This combines two favorites in one. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Georgia Peach Ice Cream
My state is well known for growing good peaches. This delicious recipe has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia