Growing lush, healthy celery in your backyard can sometimes feel like a Herculean task. Like many gardeners, including myself, you’ve probably faced challenges with pests and less than stellar growth.
In this article, I’ll share insights into companion planting—an effective strategy that could be the game changer for your celery crop.
Some different plants that make great celery companion plants include onions, garlic, mint, nasturtiums, tomatoes, marigolds, cucumbers, thyme, basil, dill, and peas.
Get ready to delve into the world of boosting growth and controlling pests using nature’s own mechanism: companion plants!
Key Takeaways
- Companion planting with celery can enhance its growth and control pests in your garden.
- Plants like onions, garlic, marigolds, mint, chamomile, nasturtiums, tomatoes, cucumbers, thyme, basil, dill, sage beans, and peas make great companions for celery.
- Carrots, corn, parsley, potatoes, and turnips are not good companion plants for celery as they can hinder its growth and attract pests.
- Key Takeaways
- What is companion planting?
- The Benefits of Companion Planting with Celery
- Characteristics Of Celery
- 7 Best Companion Plants for Celery
- Plants To Avoid Growing Near Your Celery Plants
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs About The Best Celery Companion Plants
- What should not be planted with celery?
- Can you plant peppers and celery together?
- What pests does celery repel?
- Does celery like coffee grounds?
- Where is the best place to plant celery?
- Can I plant other vegetables near celery for better growth?
- What are some plants that celery helps when planted nearby?
- How far away from the celery should I plant other crops?
- Should I blanch celery?
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What is companion planting?
Companion planting is a smart way to grow plants. It’s about placing plants close by that help each other. Some plants may keep pests away from others, while others boost the growth of their plant friends and may even improve their flavor.
A crucial part of companion planting is knowing which plants work well together. So, you need to pick the right pairs for a great garden!
The Benefits of Companion Planting with Celery
Companion planting with celery offers a range of benefits, including natural pest control, maximized garden space, and nutrient provision for optimal growth.
Pest Control
Bugs can create significant problems for celery. But, good news! You can use some plants to keep them away. Plants like onions and garlic chase bugs away and make the taste of celery better.
Marigolds, mint, chamomile, and nasturtiums work well too. Growing these plants near your celery will help keep away harmful insects while attracting beneficial, pollinating ones.
Cosmos flowers are also good to keep near your celery plants. These bright flowers attract parasitic wasps that will come and eat the pests that may harm your celery plants.
Don’t forget about tomatoes and cucumbers, either. They repel pests and provide shade, so your celery plants stay cool in hot weather.
Maximized Garden Space
Planting celery with the right friends is a smart move. It helps you use your garden space more optimally, ensuring you can grow all the lovely herbs, plants, and flowers you want to see flourishing in your backyard.
Plants like thyme, basil, dill, and sage grow upward, giving you more ground space for plants like celery.
Beans also grow upright, and they also have pest-repellant properties. Beans repel the exact kinds of bugs that love to eat celery seedlings!
The best part? Beans make the soil better, too, fixing nitrogen in the ground. This benefits your celery and any other plants nearby.
Onion plants are also great for repelling pests and can even make your celery taste better when it comes time for harvesting.
Nutrient Provision
To help your celery plants get the nutrients they need, you can choose companion plants that provide them.
For example, peas have a special relationship with bacteria that can fix nitrogen from the air and make it available to other plants, like celery.
Characteristics Of Celery
| Plant Family Apiaceae | Watering Conditions Consistently moist soil with good drainage | Mature Size Typically 12-24 inches tall |
| Soil Requirements Rich, fertile soil with good drainage; pH 5.8-6.8 | Sunlight Needs Full sun to light shade | Temperature Tolerance Cool-season crop; thrives in USDA zones 2-9 |
| Growth Habit Biennial (often grown as an annual) | Flowering Period Second year of growth, if allowed to overwinter | Flower Color White to green |
| Foliage Characteristics Large, ribbed, green leaves | Propagation Methods Seeds (sow indoors or directly outdoors) | Pruning and Maintenance Regular watering and consistent moisture; provide shading in hot weather |
| Common Pests and Diseases Aphids, slugs, snails; leaf spot, bacterial blight | Companion Planting Beans, cabbage, onions, and other vegetables | Edible Parts Edible stems and leaves (used in culinary dishes) |
| Wildlife Attraction Celery can provide a habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators | Toxicity Generally non-toxic; may cause skin irritation for some people | Special Care Instructions Blanch stems by wrapping with paper or planting in trenches for milder flavor |
7 Best Companion Plants for Celery
Companion gardening your celery with beans, cabbage, marigolds, lettuce, dill, onions, or oregano can ensure enhanced growth, improved flavor, and pest control.
1. Beans
I love growing beans in my garden, mainly because they make great companion plants for celery. Beans and other legumes, like peas, can fix nitrogen in the soil.
This means that they take nitrogen, an essential nutrient that helps plants grow healthy and strong, from the air and put it into the soil, which is fantastic for celery’s growth!
By interplanting beans with celery, you provide extra nutrients to boost your celery’s growth. Pole beans can also provide some much-needed shade for your celery on hot summer days.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage is a great companion plant for celery because it helps deter pests like aphids and cabbage worms.
It also attracts beneficial insects such as green lacewings and ladybugs, which can help keep your garden healthy and protect your plants from pests.
Cabbage belongs to the Brassica family, just like celery, so they have similar nutrient requirements.
By planting them together, you can maximize your garden space and provide nutrients to both plants.
Plus, harvesting fresh cabbage for coleslaw or stir-fries is always a tasty bonus!
3. Marigolds
Marigolds are an excellent companion plant for celery. They help repel pests and attract beneficial insects that can control the pests that harm celery plants.
Marigolds also serve as trap crops for slugs, diverting them away from your celery.
They also deter nematodes and flea beetles, which can damage the roots and leaves of celery. These flowers are considered one of the best companions for celery because of their pest-repelling properties and ability to attract natural predators like parasitic wasps.
Adding marigolds to your garden will enhance the growth of your celery while providing natural pest control without the need for harmful pesticides.
They also look very pretty, adding a touch of whimsy and color to your outdoor space.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce is a great companion plant for celery because it doesn’t compete for nutrients. It won’t affect the growth of celery and can be planted alongside it without any adverse effects.
Lettuce is a light feeder, so it doesn’t take essential nutrients away from your celery plants. Planting lettuce with celery can even enhance the growth of your celery crop.
If you’re looking for a friendly neighbor for the celery in your garden, consider planting some lettuce alongside it. These two veggies can even team up in your summer salads!
5. Dill
Dill is a great companion plant for celery because it has strong-smelling leaves that repel pests. When you interplant dill with celery, it helps protect the celery from insects and other harmful bugs.
Additionally, dill can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and green lacewings that eat pests in your garden.
This means less damage to your celery plants! Remember, dill also improves the flavor of celery when they grow together.
Add some extra flavor to your celery and pest-repellent powers to your garden, and plant some dill.
6. Onions
Onions are excellent companion plants for celery because they offer a double benefit. Firstly, onions repel pests that like to attack celery, such as aphids and flea beetles.
Secondly, planting onions with celery enhances the flavor of both vegetables. So, when you grow onions alongside your celery plants in the garden, you will deter pests and enjoy a delicious harvest.
Plus, onions are easy to grow and can be planted from sets or seeds. Try it and see how these flavorful companions work together in your garden.
7. Oregano
Oregano is one of the best companion plants for celery. Oregano is classified as a strong-smelling herb, emitting an odor that repels harmful pests.
Oregano’s scent helps deter insects, rabbits, and deer from eating your celery—and many other plants in your garden!
Additionally, growing oregano alongside celery can enhance its growth and protect it from pests.
Plants To Avoid Growing Near Your Celery Plants
Avoid planting carrots, corn, parsley, potatoes, and turnips with celery due to their adverse effects on growth and pest control.
1. Carrots
It is best to plant carrots far away from celery. Carrots and celery may compete for nutrients in the soil, which can lead to stunted growth and poor health for both plants.
Additionally, planting carrots near celery can attract pests that harm both plants, like aphids and flea beetles. Another issue is that carrots and celery must be harvested at different times.
This can be challenging because their root systems often get entangled if planted too close together.
It’s best to keep these two vegetables separate in your garden to ensure the well-being of your crops.
2. Corn
Avoid planting celery and corn plants together. Corn can remove the nutrients from the soil that celery needs to grow well.
Corn also grows tall and can block sunlight, shading the celery and preventing it from getting enough light to grow properly.
This makes corn one of the worst plants to pair with celery in your garden. Additionally, planting corn near celery can attract pests like whiteflies and flea beetles, damaging your delicate celery crops.
It’s best to keep corn away from your celery plants to ensure their growth and health.
3. Parsley
Parsley is not a good companion plant for celery. In fact, it’s considered one of the worst companions for celery. When planted near celery, parsley can hinder its growth and pest control abilities.
If you’re growing celery in your garden, keep it away from your herb garden area or wherever you’re growing parsley.
Your goal as a gardener is to optimize your celery plants’ growth and pest control, and planting them alongside parsley won’t help.
4. Potatoes
I don’t recommend planting potatoes near celery. Potatoes can attract pests that could harm your celery plants.
They can also compete with celery for nutrients, which means both plants may not grow as well as they should.
To ensure healthy and thriving celery, it’s best to keep potatoes away from them in the garden.
5. Turnips
Turnips are not the best companion plants for celery. They can cause problems with pests and compete with celery for nutrients.
Planting turnips alongside celery may also lead to conflicts when it comes time to harvest.
For these reasons, cross turnips off your celery companion gardening list. It’s best to avoid planting these plants together if you want your celery to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Companion planting with the right plants can greatly benefit your celery. You can improve pest control and maximize garden space by interplanting beans, cabbage, marigolds, and other herbs.
On the other hand, it’s best to avoid planting carrots, corn, parsley, potatoes, and turnips near celery to prevent potential pest issues.
With careful planning and knowledge of celery companion plants, you can enhance the growth of your celery while naturally controlling pests in your garden.
FAQs About The Best Celery Companion Plants
What should not be planted with celery?
Avoid planting celery near carrots, parsnips, and other plants with deep roots that may compete for nutrients.
Can you plant peppers and celery together?
Planting peppers and celery together is generally compatible with proper spacing and light conditions.
What pests does celery repel?
Celery can help repel certain pests from nearby plants like whiteflies, aphids, and cabbage worms.
Does celery like coffee grounds?
Yes, coffee grounds can improve soil texture for celery but should be used in moderation due to celery’s sensitivity to nutrient imbalances.
Where is the best place to plant celery?
Plant celery in a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil and consistent moisture.
Can I plant other vegetables near celery for better growth?
Yes, certain vegetables like tomatoes or beans can be planted near celery to provide beneficial shading and improve overall growth conditions.
What are some plants that celery helps when planted nearby?
Plant celery near tomatoes, peppers, and cabbage, as it may improve growth and flavor. The scent of celery can also help repel pests like aphids and root nematodes.
How far away from the celery should I plant other crops?
When planting other crops near celery, it is best to keep them at least 12-18 inches away from the celery plants. This will help prevent overcrowding and ensure each plant has enough space to grow and access nutrients.
Should I blanch celery?
Blanching celery is an optional technique that can help improve its flavor and texture. Blanching involves covering the celery stalks with a dark, light-excluding material to block out sunlight and reduce bitterness in the stalks.
