Growing Celery

Latest Update 26th December 2019.

Celery

• Celery is propagated in clusters of 5 or 6 seeds in a mini pot.  
• Propagating them this way in an EcoPropagator, allows Ecobed time to be saved otherwise spent propagating them directly.
• It is a much more dependable method of propagating seed and allows it to be sown in cooler weather.
• Celery grow slowly and can be harvested when required by removing outer stalks.  This extends the harvest and suppresses flowering.
• You will not find sweeter celery than that grown organically in your own garden, it is a great source of dietary fibre and micronutrients. 
• I have grown celery for many years in my garden without significant pest problems.

Details.

• Binomial Name:                                        Apium graveolens.
• Family group:                                           Apiaceae. 
• Variety:                                                    Dorata D' Asti.
• Crop rotation group:                                  Light feeders.
• Garden bed type:                                      Garden Ecobed.
• Minimum sun per day:                              8 hours.
• Plant spacing:                                          250 mm (clusters).
• Weeks to harvest:                                    17 - 18 weeks.
• Good companions:                                   Leek, tomato, beans, cauliflower, cabbage
• Climate:                                                   Warm temperate.
• Geography:                                              Southern hemisphere.

Nutrition.

• This food is low in saturated fat, and very low in cholesterol. 

• It is a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium and manganese.

• More from nutrition data.self.com.

Maintain Healthy Plants

• This blogpage explains how I maintain healthy plants.  It describes how soil is prepared prior to planting, how to regulate the sun's intensity and how to help protect and feed plants through their leaves.

Propagate Plants Efficiently

•  This blogpage explains how I propagate seeds in a purpose built propagator.

Propagation Plan 2020.

• This blogpage tells you when to sow seeds.

Services Plan 2020.

• This blogpage tells you when to make compost and plan other garden/household related activities.

Growing Instructions.

• Propagate 4 clusters of 3 celery seeds in a mini fibre pot in an EcoPropagator.
• Transplant them into an Ecobed while still quite small and still in their fibre pots.  Plant them 250 mm apart in a single row.
• Use a large dibber to make the planting holes, and water the seedlings in carefully.
• Protect the plants against strong sunlight in very hot weather (35C+) 75% shadecloth would be ideal.

Harvesting and Storage.

• Start harvesting the stalks as soon as the plants approach maturity to extend the harvest and deter them from bolting and going to seed.
• Cut the stalks as close to their base as possible.
• The best place to store celery is on the growing plant.  Harvest the stalks as required in the kitchen.

Organic Pest Control.

• Celery, like most vegetables, are vulnerable to attack from certain pests in my garden.  My blog on "Controlling Garden Pests" explains a little about these pests and what to do to protect plants from them.  For details click on the appropriate link below.
• Slugs and snails.
• Birds.
• Aphids (Greenfly).