How to Grow Celery From the Base

1. Cut the Bottom Off Your Celery Bunch

   Using a clean, sharp knife, cut off the bottom of your bunch of celery about two inches up from the base. Store the celery stalks until you're ready to eat them, and save the base.

   Tip

   The best way to store celery stalks is to wrap them in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate them in the vegetable le bin. Foil-wrapped celery can remain fresher a bit longer than plastic-wrapped celery. To revive stalks that have wilted, cut 1/2 inch off both ends and put the stalks in an ice water bath for 30 minutes.

2. Place the Celery Base in a Small Container

   Take the base of your bunch of celery, and put it in a small container filled with about one inch of water. Place the container in a bright area out of direct sunlight.

3. Watch the Celery Grow

   Your celery should start to sprout in a day or two. Change the water every few days, and make sure the dish doesn't dry out.

4. Plant the Celery in a Pot (Optional)

   If you want your sprouted celery base to grow larger, plant it in a pot. First, to prevent soil leakage, cover the drainage holes in the bottom of your pot with a piece of screening or a coffee filter.

   Then, fill your pot with potting soil until it is about two inches below the rim. Mix in a slow-release fertilizer, following the label directions. Press lightly on the soil to level it, and add water so it becomes damp but not soggy. Next, place the bottom of your sprouted celery base on top of the soil. Add about another inch of soil, so it completely surrounds the celery base. Finally, place the pot in full to partial sunlight, and water often enough to keep the soil damp. Watch your celery grow.

Making Homemade Celery Salt

It's easy to make your own celery salt by using celery leaves and table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt. All you have to do is harvest celery leaves, wash them, dry them as much as possible with a clean dish towel or salad spinner, ​and dehydrate them. To dehydrate your celery leaves, either use a dehydrator or an oven.

If you are using an oven, preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and lay out your celery leaves in a single layer. Heat for five to ten minutes or until the leaves are crispy but not browned. Once they cool, crumble them and mix them with an equal amount of salt. Then store the mixture in an airtight jar.