Celery
Celery Apiun gravealeus
Celery produces crisp succulent stems. Traditional trench celery is quite demanding of soil conditions and requires attention over a long season. Self-blanching celery is less labor intensive and is easier to grow but is not as hardy, nor so delicate in texture or flavor.
Traditional celery is a late autumn crop with white, pink or red stems that are blanched before use. Self-blanching cultivars have creamy yellow stems. American cultivars have green stems that are not blanched. Ideal Site- Celery must have fertile, moisture-retentive soil. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Celery grows well in deep containers. Apply a high-fertility soil improver or a low-fertility soil improver with nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer. Ideal pH is 6.5-7.5, Seed to Germination- Green celery 11-16 weeks, trench celery 9 months. Cultivation- Celery germinates best at temperatures between 50-66F (10-19C). When starting seeds undercover sow seeds in cell packs or trays in gentle heat in March or early April, or no more than 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow on the surface of the compost or cover only lightly. Germination can be slow and erratic. Gel sowing can improve that. Transplant seedlings into biodegradable pots. Thin to one seedling per cell pack as soon as possible
Plant outdoors as soon as conditions are warm enough. Plants may bolt if subjected to temperatures below 50F(10C) for more than 12 hours when young.
Spacing- rows 12-18in apart x 4ft rows (30x45 cm x 1.2 m)
block planting for self-blanching celery – 6-12in. (15-30cm) Closer spacing will give a high yield more slender stems. Plant Care- Water frequently and regularly during the growing season. Remove discolored leaves. Blanch trench celery once plants are 12in (30cm) tall. Surround a block of self-blanching celery with straw to blanch outer rows. Problems- Celery crown rot, celery leaf miner, slugs, celery leaf spot,celery late blight, calcium deficiency caused by irregular water supply. Harvesting- harvest trench celery in the autumn about 9-10 weeks after blanching. Blanching celery will stand in the ground for a month in good weather conditions but is a magnet for slugs. Harvest self-blanching celery from July-September. Celery is not totally hardy and will not survive prolonged frosts. When severe frost is forecast lift plants and store in a cool damp sand in an area such as a basement. It can also be lifted and heeled in a cool dark coldframe. Nutrients- Celery contains Vitamins A, B1,B2, B6, C, potassium, folate, dietary fiber, molybderum, manganses, magnesium, tryptophan, phosphorus, and iron.
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