Growing and Sowing Celery
Celery (Apium graveolens Dulce) is a vegetable, belonging to the umbelliferous family. It is an old crop, related to celeriac and leaf celery, is basically biennial and not hardy. Celery has a long fibrous stalk tapering into leaves. There are different types: evergreen, but also self-blanching and red. Celery is often used raw in salads, added to broth, or boiled or stewed along with other vegetables.
Growing your own celery from seeds
Celery, related to the celeriac and leaf celery, is a slow-germinating and slow-growing plant. As with celeriac, you have to like a challenge. Celery is a slow grower and not easy to grow. Growing it, requires a lot of attention, but it also needs care during growth. But this is of course richly rewarded when you can finally harvest fresh from your own garden.
Sowing and planting celery
For an early cultivation, indoor sowing can be started from mid-February. Don't sow too deep, celery is a light germinator, and let them germinate at room temperature. Too low a temperature increases the chances of the plants sprouting. If necessary, transplant the plants into a larger pot. The plants can be planted out in the garden from mid-May. First let them harden off for a few days. Keep a planting distance of about 30 x 35 to 50 cm. The more space there is between the plants, the larger they can grow.
You can also sow directly in the garden from mid-May to the end of June. However, keep in mind that harvesting can then take place later. Should it get cold early in autumn, the harvest could fail.
The seeds are light germinators, so after sowing do not cover them with soil.
Position and soil for growing Celery
Celery loves a sunny spot in the garden. Make sure that the soil is well fertilized by, for example, enriching the soil with compost a few weeks before sowing or planting out.
How to care of your celery plants
The plants like moist soil, so it's important to water regularly, especially during hot summer days. Fertilize occasionally, especially after a lot of rain.
When and how to harvest celery?
This depends on the sowing time and whether the plants were cultivated indoors or outdoors. If sown early, indoors, harvesting can often be done as early as mid-June. If the plants are sown later in the open ground, they can often be harvested until the end of October. This of course depends on the weather; celery cannot withstand frost. Therefore, harvest immediately if night frost is expected.
How to preserve celery
Celery can be kept in the fridge for about a week. The vegetable can also be frozen, but it will not be as crispy afterwards. Blanch it first.
Is celery healthy?
Celery is very healthy and is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is also low in calories and loaded with antioxidants. According to some, celery is a superfood.
Celery seeds in our collection
In our assortment we have different types of celery seeds, including organic seeds. All our seeds are of excellent quality.
Tips to grow celery
Celery is relatively difficult to grow. Therefore, start pre-sowing on time and indoors. If this fails, there is still enough time to sow in open ground.