Merengo celery is a straightforward, reliable variety that delivers crisp stalks in 80 to 90 days. Growing 10 to 30 inches tall, this cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade and rewards patient gardeners with the classic celery flavor they expect. It's best started indoors in most climates, giving you control over timing for either spring or fall harvests.
Partial Sun
High
3-10
30in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
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Starting celery indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your transplant date gives Merengo the long season it needs to develop substantial stalks. The variety tolerates cool conditions well, making it equally suited to spring planting in cooler regions or a fall crop timed for harvest before hard frost. Space plants 24 inches apart in both directions to allow air circulation and prevent the cramped, weak growth that weakens celery.
Merengo celery is grown for its edible stalks, which feature the characteristic crisp texture and mild, slightly aromatic flavor familiar to home cooks. The stalks work equally well raw in salads and crudité platters, braised as a side dish, or chopped into soups, stews, and stocks where they contribute subtle vegetal depth.
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Start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your average last frost date for a spring harvest, or 10 to 12 weeks before your intended transplant date for a fall crop. Sow seeds by pressing them into the soil surface; they need light to germinate. Maintain soil temperature between 70°F and 75°F for optimal germination. Biodegradable pots are recommended to minimize root disturbance when transplanting.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 10 to 12 weeks after sowing, timing the move for 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date in spring, or for fall harvest in mild climates. Space plants 24 inches apart with 24 inches between rows. Ensure soil temperature is at least 50°F at transplanting.
Direct sowing is recommended only for mild climates. Sow 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 50°F, or in fall for a cool-season harvest.
Harvest Merengo celery 80 to 90 days after transplanting once the outer stalks reach usable size. Cut the outer stalks first at the base, allowing the inner stalks to continue growing for successive harvests, or harvest the entire head by cutting just below the soil line. Timing varies by planting date; spring plantings are typically ready in early to mid-summer, while fall plantings mature as temperatures cool in autumn.
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