"Growing celery"

Celery is a nutritious and useful crop to have in the garden. It can be eaten fresh or cooked and makes delicious soup if you have too much.

Although it needs to be started off in a warm environment, celery will happily grow in a moderate climate as long as it isn't exposed to frost or extreme cold, but it does need to be started off in a warm place to germinate and strengthen before putting out in the garden.

Buy your seed from a reputable supplier

Thompson and Morgan are well-established and their website makes buying seeds an enjoyable experience, although there are so many wonderful plants to browse you may need to get a cuppa before you start!

Celery seed at Thompson and Morgan UK
For US deliveries: Thompson and Morgan US and for all other countries start from their homepage: Thompson and Morgan Worldwide

Growing Start your seed off in trays in the greenhouse or other warm place and keep moist and weed free. The plants can be slow to germinate, but once they get going, you'll probably find you have far too many plants to fit in the veggie patch. Use a seedcompost or make your own. The compost should be a good rich colour and weed-free.

Prepare the ground outside by digging over and rake to a fine tilth. Remove any perennial weeds and large stones, and any non-organic debris. Dig in some well rotted manure earlier on in the year for best results.

Some types are best grown in trenches so the plants may be earthed up later in the year. Although many types will successfully grow on flat ground. Either way choose a sunny spot.

Put out the young plants when they are a few inches tall and all danger of frost has passed. Plant in the middle of the trench, or in rows, and water in. Allow about 12inches or 30cm between plants and a little more between rows so you have enough room to maintain them.

Plants can be bought rather than starting off your own from seed if you prefer. It depends on the time you have and also the greenhouse or conservatory space you have available.

Looking after your plants: Never let plants dry out, they should be watered regularly, especially during long hot dry spells in the summer months. Keep weed-free.

For trench grown plants, earth up in the late summer. Some growers loosely tie the stalks together to prevent the outside stalks bending down and exposing the inner stalks. Try tying half your plants and leave the rest to see which works best for your type. Check on the seed packet or growing instructions on ready grown plants for recommended care advice.

Harvesting: Cut and eat! Stalks can be cut from main plants although if you have plenty of plants, simply pull up a whole head as required.

Plants grown at home don't tend to last as long as shop bought types, although this is probably due to chemicals and intense commercial growing conditions. Keep in the salad compartment of the fridge for a few days if necessary although it's always best to cut and eat straight away if possible.

Celery can stay in the ground often up until just before the first frost, although again check on the growing recommendations for your region and the variety of celery you are growing. late autumn and early winter celery makes wonderful soup. Wholesome, heart warming and very nutritious. ( And, I've heard it's been used as an aphrodisiac!!)

Simply cook with a stock and maybe a finely chopped onion and potato - or any other veggies you have that will be compatible with the taste of celery.

Happy Gardening!

More "Garden Vegetable" Reading

http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/celery.html