Why choose to grow your own Celery Seeds?
Celery is a well known vegetable on the plot, but are sometimes underrated although there’s more to this veg than the stalk alone. A homegrown variety tastes superb and is a rewarding crop to grow, but there are types of Celery grown with different techniques. There’s trenching and self-blanching varieties, the trenched celery plants take more time but are definitely flavoursome, whereas self-blanching celery crops quicker. Dobies offers self-blanching, and ‘Loretta’ will provide smooth, succulent, mouth-watering white sticks!
How do you plant celery seeds?
Sprinkle the celery seeds over a seed tray or pot that has decent peat free seed compost. You don't need to cover the seeds as they need light to germinate.
How to grow Celery from seed
For self-blanching celery;
- Sow Celery under glass in late March to early April, if no glasshouse then invest in an electric propagator. Sow into seed trays with a decent peat free seed compost. Once the seedlings have two leaves, prick them out into pots and gradually harden them off, placing them in cold-frames or Cloches which should be aired through the day.
- Once danger of frosts has passed its time to move Celery into final position. Prior to the ground for the final planting should be prepared in spring, cleared of weeds and organic matter dug in.
Always refer to the packet for spacing – self blanching plants are planted in blocks, closer together to encourage blanching, this means the plant produces multiple and hence more Celery.
For trench celery;
- For trench Celery, dig a trench 40 cm wide, 25 cm deep and fork Organic matter into the bottom of the trench.
- It’s important to protect the roots when transplanting your Celery seedlings
- As the plants grow gently earth up surrounding soil, start doing this once the plant reaches 30cm.
How to use liquid feeds in celery growing
Grow your Celery seeds in a sunny spot and allow irrigation. If time is running out, invest in irrigation aids. An absolute must is to never let your Celery dry out. Regular liquid feeds are important but should be applied little and often. When the time is right, get your hands dirty and enjoy the harvest, you have the option to eat your celery fresh from the plant or cook in a variety of ways for your homegrown meals.
Buy celery seeds from Dobies for planting UK!
