Did you know there’s one key secret to growing crunchy juicy celery?
Well, it’s true.
It’s NOT the fertilizer you give to your plants.
It’ not the skills or experience of the grower.
It’s NOT the soil.
The real secret to growing amazing crops of celery is this;
WATER.
Yes, that’s right it’s giving your celery plants loads of water. So they never ever dry out. Without regular watering plants will become dry and stringy. And lack that crisp taste when you bite into a celery stick.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s look at how to grow the best crop of celery you’ve ever grown.
In mid-March to mid-April seeds should be sown on trays. And lightly covered with compost. Once the seedlings are a couple of inches high they can be planted in pots. Say a minimum of 3” wide.
Once in these pots, you have two choices for your plants; grow them in your garden. Or continue growing in pots and containers. If you want to use pots then your plants will need to be moved to wider pots. Say 6” – 8”. This will give room for the celery sticks to grow.
If you intend to grow your celery out in the garden then they need to be planted out at the end of May to mid-June. Dig a trench 12” deep. Fill it with rotted down manure or household compost. Put back some soil. Dig in your young celery plants 12” apart. Apply some blood and bone meal to fertilize your plants. Once the plants are established apply come chicken pellets.
Never allow your plants to dry out. Celery is a wetland plant.
Your celery is ready to harvest from August to October. The best stems are when the canopy starts to curl over.
Pests to watch out for are mainly slugs. So take the appropriate control measures.
Use your celery in delicious winter stews. In your salads. As a soup. Or by itself as a crunchy snack.
