Celery

[evergreen]

Hi, I bought 3 celery plants last week and at the moment they are in the greenhouse because I don't really know what to do with them. There are very vague instructions on the label. I have looked at information in a couple of books and on the internet and they are all quite different so I just wondered if there was a seasoned celery grower out there who could advise me. I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks.

[Lesley Jay]

Evergreen I'm not a seasoned celery grower (can't stand the stuff) but I know there are self blanching varieties and varieties that need earthing up to blanche them. Do you know what variety they are?

[evergreen]

Hi Lesley, it didn't say anything about that on the label - all it said was to plant 9 inches apart and keep well-watered. I know celery isn't the most popular vegetable around but it is fantastic in soup. I braise it in melted butter with chopped leeks, add vegetable or chicken stock and cook for 20 minutes then liquidise. All of my children love it!!!!

[malcolmx]

this will be the american or self blanching variety that never gets white so plant about 12 inches apart on well dug and manured land earth up about 3" when growing use slug pellets if you are not organic . this is not trench celery (white or pink ) that are the old varieties so it does not need blanching water and feed as required and you will probably get a reasonable crop . next year buy seed (proper celery) and sow in greenhouse in Jan and plant in ground about April in trenches if you can get a 6" clay drain slip this over plants to keep them blanched

[evergreen]

Thanks again. I will buy seeds next year but I'll keep my fingers crossed for this one.

[realfood]

I agree about the slug pellets. Slugs love to get inside the celery stalks and eat it. Remember to keep it well watered.

[richardwil]

Keep the soil moist and do not let the celery roots get dry as this will give it a shock and knock back the growth.

Cheers