Celery

Okay, celery lovers, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of growing your own crisp stalks at home! It might seem like a tricky customer, but trust me, with a little know-how, you'll be munching on homegrown celery in no time.

TL;DR: Celery Growing Made Easy

Ready to grow celery? Start seeds indoors from late Feb to early April, then plant out after the last frost in May. Keep them well-watered, feed every couple of weeks, and "earth up" the stems as they grow for those lovely white stalks. Harvest from late summer to autumn. Watch out for slugs and other pests and you should be good to go!

Growing Celery: The Lowdown

Celery isn't the easiest vegetable to grow, but the reward is worth the effort! It loves moisture, a sunny spot, and a long growing season. You can start from seed or buy young plants, but either way, we've got you covered with our step-by-step guide.

What You Need to Get Started

First off, let's gather your tools. You'll need celery seeds or young plants, seed trays or small pots, multi-purpose compost, a garden spade or trowel, a watering can (or hose), and maybe some slug pellets if those pesky critters are a problem in your area.

Sowing Celery Seeds: Indoor Action!

From late February to early April, it's time to get your hands dirty. Fill those seed trays with compost and sprinkle your celery seeds thinly on the surface. A light dusting of compost or vermiculite should do the trick. Water gently and pop them in a warm place, like a heated propagator, if you have one. Keep the soil moist, and you should see seedlings popping up in a couple of weeks. Once they are large enough to handle, transfer them into individual small pots.

Planting Your Celery Outside

After the last frost in May, your celery babies are ready for the great outdoors! Pick a sunny, sheltered spot in your garden. Dig in some good quality compost, and make sure the soil is rich and moist. Space your plants about 20-25cm apart in rows that are 30-40cm apart. Plant them so the base of the plant is level with the soil, give them a good water, and keep that soil moist!

Celery Care: Keeping Them Happy

Celery is a thirsty plant, so regular watering is essential, especially when it's hot and dry. Feed your plants with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks to give them a boost. For those classic long, white stems, "earth up" the plants by drawing soil around the base of the stems every few weeks as they grow. Mulching around your plants will help keep moisture in the soil and keep the weeds away.

Harvesting the Goods

From late summer to autumn, your celery should be ready to harvest. You can either harvest individual stems or the whole plant if you're feeling greedy! Use a sharp knife to cut the stems at the base. They taste best fresh, but you can store them in the fridge for a few days or even freeze them (chopped) for later use in soups or stews.

Pest and Disease Patrol

Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and slugs, they love celery as much as we do. Slug pellets or traps can help with the slug problem. If you see any yellowing or brown leaves, it could be celery blight, a fungal disease. If this happens, remove the affected plants quickly to stop it from spreading.

Celery Growing Tips:

• Patience is key: Celery can take a while to grow, so don't get disheartened.
• Water, water, water: These guys are thirsty, so make sure they get enough water!
• Earth up for white stems: Blanching is what gives us those white, tasty stalks.
• Regular checks: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.

Growing your own celery at home might take a little effort, but with a little TLC, you'll be enjoying the fruits of your labor in no time. Happy growing!