Celery

There are two kinds of Celery, the easier Self-Blanching and the older type Blanched type that needs to be grown in trenches and earthed up.

Both types need an extremely moisture retentive soil with a pH of 6.5 so ensure that plenty of organic matter is incorporated into the soil.

Sow the seed in late February or March in trays of compost at 60F. Do not cover the seed with compost, as the seed needs light to germinate. Transplant into seed trays when large enough to handle and grow on at 55F until the end of April, when they can be placed in a cold frame to harden off; ready to be planted out in May.

The self-Blanching types can be planted out in blocks with 9" each way between the plants. Keep them well watered and free from weeds.

For the Blanched types you will need to prepare a trench ready for planting into. Dig the trench one spade deep and 18" wide, heaping the soil on either side. Put a 2" layer of compost or manure in the bottom and cover this with a 1" layer of soil. Plant the seedlings 12" apart down the centre of this trench. In mid summer remove any suckers from the base of the plants and wrap the stems in corrugated cardboard or several layers of newspaper and tie with string to secure. This is to prevent soil getting between the stalks. Fill the trench with soil, leaving the top couple of inches of plant showing. Keep the trench topped up as the plants grow, roughly at 3-week intervals. As the trench gets level with the surrounding soil, bring soil from around to earth up and form a mound. Slope it away from the plants to allow rain to drain away from the plants and prevent rotting.

Lift the self -Blanching Celery before the first frosts at the end of autumn. Blanched varieties can be used from then onwards over the winter period, digging each plant out as required and replacing the soil around the rest.

Pests and Diseases

Celery suffers from pests such as Slugs and Celery Fly. Diseases include Celery leaf spot. (See relative Pests and Diseases sections for prevention/cures)

© copyright 1999, P. A. Owen