Celery

Type: Vegetable

Rotation Group: 2, Roots and Onions


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OCTAVIOUS

An outstanding green celery which produces thick, succulent, pale green stems of medium length and good flavour. The vigorous plants are high yielding and slow to bolt.
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GOLDEN SELF BLANCHING

The stalks of Golden Self Blanching are more yellow-green and not such a strong flavour as Giant White but a lot less work. This variety is ready from about August onwards, and as the name would suggest is a self blanching variety.
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VICTORIA

Victoria F1 is mid green colour, tall with fleshy petioles. One of the best flavoured celery varieties available which is self blanching, quick growing and has a good standing ability. Early to mid season production and will grow where it is traditionally difficult.
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STARBURST

A most impressively long variety, which not only eats wonderfully well, bit is also well up to the mark for exhibition work too. The stalks are strong, broad and pink-tinged towards the base. A fine future awaits this excellent trench celery.

Site, Soil and Preparation

Celery requires soil that is fertile, slightly acidic, moist but also well drained. It does best in cool conditions of 15-20C.

Indoor Sowing

Sow thinly on the surface of seed compost in trays - do not cover with any compost as they need light to germinate. Moisten by spraying and keep in a warm location or propagator about 15C.

Outdoor Sowing

Celery needs to be sown indoors.

Thinning

When the seedlings have 2 true leaves pot them on into individual modules or small pots. Harden them off in a cold-frame above 10C before planting out.

Transplanting

"Plant self blanching varieties in a block / square at 150-250mm (6-10in) spacings. Trench celery should be planted at 300mm (12in) spacings in rows 450mm (18in) apart."

Care

Water regularly and keep moist at all times. It tends to become stringy rapidly if allowed to dry out. A good application of mulch will help. Earth-up trench varieties gradually as they grow to blanch the stems.

Harvest

Harvest the celery heads when the stems are swollen and the outer stems are large. Lift the whole plant and trim off the roots.