How to Grow Celery
Celery is native to the Mediterranean region, so its optimum growth temperature is 59-71.6 Fahrenheit degree. Celery is a long-season crop, in some areas, it is germinated indoors and then transplanted to the outside, but the survival rate is very low. Although it takes a long time, celery can become crispy and delicious once it grows well in moist and fertile soil and suitable temperature. Let’s dig in its growth process.
1. Select Seeds
Apium graveolens var. secalinum: It is planted in areas 5a to 8b of the plant cold-resistant zone of USDA. The leaves of parsley grow from a strong stem, and the leaves are more delicious than other varieties. There are many strains of parsley, including Par-Cel (a Dutch strain), Safir (relatively fragile) and Flora-55 (very resistant to lodging).
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum: It is planted in USDA plant cold resistant zone 8 and 9. The root tuber of celery is very large and can be eaten as the stem. Root tubers need to grow for about 100 days to grow large enough to be edible. The root celery likes the cool ocean climate, and the common varieties are: wisdom, giant Prague, good teacher, presidential diamond, etc.
Apium graveolens var. dulce: Planting in 2 to 10 zones of USDA plant cold-resistant zone. Traditional celery needs 105-130 days to mature under suitable temperature.
* Celery doesn’t like extreme temperatures. The best growth temperature is 75.2 ℉ in the daytime and 50-60.8 ℉ at night.
* Some strains are more precocious than others, such as Conqueror and Montreal. The stem of the golden boy strain is stunted, while that of the high Utah strain is tall and strong.
2. Select Areas
Choose an area where there is sunshine and it will not be exposed to the sun. Although celery likes a mild climate, it needs plenty of sunshine. The best place is a zone where has a little shade and sunshine.
The soil should be fertile and moist. Celery is a kind of wetland plant, so it has the ability of moisture resistance that some other plants do not have. Of course, moisture resistance is not water logging resistance, nor too much water. Celery will also be waterlogged.
* The raised bed should be higher. Remember that some kinds of celery have very developed roots. You need to make sure that the soil layer is thick enough.
* If you can, find some pine to make a raised bed, because it is more resistant to moisture.
Detect the PH of soil with soil tester. Celery likes slightly acidic soil, with PH between 6.0 and 7.0. Although celery does not require high drainage of the land as other vegetables, it needs fertile and healthy soil.
* Determine the content of calcium and magnesium in the soil, and then see if fertilizer is needed and what fertilizer is needed (limestone). If the magnesium content is low. Dolomite rock is added; if the magnesium content is high, add calcite.
* Add limestone 2-3 months before planting, let the soil absorb it, and then measure the PH value.
Fertilize the land with farmyard manure, compost or high-nitrogen organic fertilizer. Mix the soil about 4 inches thick with fertilizer. Celery likes fertilizer, which will make it grow well.
3. Plant
Indoor seeding began about 10-12 weeks before the last spring freeze. You can use seed trays to germinate.
* If you want to germinate quickly, you can soak the seeds in water the day before sowing.
* After sowing the seeds, gently cover them with soil, but do not pat them. The germination of celery seeds needs a little light. Then pour some water on it to keep it moist.
* Put the seeds in a warm place and keep the temperature of 69.8-75.2 ℉ for germination. This may take 2-3 weeks.
* After the seeds germinate, move the plants to a slightly cooler place, keep it at about 60.8-69.8℉, and then properly dilute the seedlings, not too dense.
Move the seedlings to the outside two weeks before the last spring freeze, and make sure it is not too cold outside. Celery is a kind of cold-resistant plant, but the limit is that it can only tolerate 53.6 ℉ in the daytime and 41℉ at night for a week at most. A little longer or colder will hurt plants.
When transplanting seedlings, pay attention to the spacing of 11.8 inches between 6 rows and 15.7-17.7 inches between rows. The dug pit should be as deep as the original peat pot with small seedlings. When transplanting, carry soil ball to prevent root injury.
Move the seedlings into the soil and cover the soil. Cover the first leaf, and then pat the soil with your hands.
Pour water. Celery likes wet, so don’t let the soil dry. If celery is short of water, the stalk will have many tendons and taste bitter. It is important to water regularly and keep moist.
Cover the plant with a moisturizing layer. You can cover the land near the celery with leaves, weeds, hay or other plant tissues to keep it moist and warm. This can also prevent other weeds from invading.
4. Nurse
Apply fertilizer every 2-4 weeks. Celery is very fertilizer consuming. It needs a very fertile land. In order to ensure that your celery grows well, it is best to apply nitrogen fertilizer once a week during the growth period.
Water regularly. To grow celery well, the most important thing is to ensure that it has sufficient moisture. The celery lacking water is bitter, dry and unpleasant.
Shade and whiten your celery 7-10 days before harvesting it. Cover the celery with newspapers, remove the top and bottom milk boxes and other similar things. In order to prevent the celery from lodging, you can tie the stalk with a thin rope.
If not shaded in time, it will change the taste and color of celery. And the shaded albino celery is more nutritious and tastes sweeter.
Some strains can whiten themselves without covering.
Harvest celery stems, leaves and/or roots. When celery grows to 7.8 inches high, it can be harvested. The celery stalk should be collected from outside to inside, so as to ensure that the inside can mature.
* Once mature, celery can be kept fresh in the field for about a month, as long as the temperature is guaranteed at 59-75℉.
* The longer celery grows, the darker its color is, the more antioxidants it contains, and the more nutritious it is. However, there will be more tendons after aging, and the taste will be worse.
Collections Grow-Bags
Collections grow bags are an ideal way to bring your favorite vegetable, herb or flower plants into your backyard, deck or patio without having to plant directly into the ground. The versatile felt grow-bags are made of a breathable, water retaining felt material that allows your plants to grow in the same way they would in the ground.
They are lightweight and easy to move around (handles included). Some grow-bags also come with side flaps so you can monitor the growth of your plants.
These are great for starting seeds indoors or transplanting them in the spring.
The best types of grow-bags are those that have good drainage holes and aeration in the sides, which helps the roots to form healthier root systems. That’s a benefit for gardeners with water-sensitive plants or those who are prone to overwatering, which can cause root rot.
A good quality grow bag will last you a few seasons if you use it properly and keep it clean. Some grow bags, however, aren’t very durable and need to be replaced every couple of years.
Depending on the type of soil you use, it’s possible that grow bags could be prone to moisture-related issues like mold and fungus. This is especially true if you tend a rooftop garden or use grow bags in an area that gets very wet.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, consider biodegradable or recycled plastic grow-bags. These are perfect for starting seeds indoors or planting a small seedling into them and then transplanting them in the spring.