Celery is healthy, rich in vitamins and versatile in the kitchen. Celery (Apium graveolens) is the main crop grown in the garden. In order to get a good harvest, there are a few things to consider when growing celery.

In a nutshell

  • Mainly represented are celeriac, celery and cut celery
  • Indoor cultivation necessary
  • Plant outdoors from mid/end of May
  • water regularly and fertilize twice
  • harvest by October at the latest

Different types

The following three main types of celery are grown in home gardens:

Celeriac (Apium graveolens rapaceum)

  • Tuber consisting of a thickened root and shoot part
  • also known as celery root
  • very nutritious
  • above-ground leaves are also edible
  • Use as greens in stews

As is well known, the nutritious tuber is said to “make tired men perk up”, but whether this is true… . who knows, just try it yourself if you grow celery yourself.

Celery (Apium graveolens dulce)

  • also known as stalk or celery
  • Tuber only very small
  • is not used
  • but strong, fleshy petioles
  • very mild aroma
  • eaten almost exclusively raw

Cut celery (Apium graveolens secalinum)

  • no tuber
  • Foliage similar to parsley
  • very aromatic
  • Use as a spice in soups, sauces, salads
  • suitable for balcony boxes

Tip: The finely chopped celery greens stay fresh for a long time when mixed with salt and are good for seasoning both soups and sauces.

cultivation in the house

Regardless of the type of celery, it must be grown indoors on the windowsill or in the cold frame. The best time for this is at the beginning of March indoors or in April in the cold frame. Sowing can be done indoors in small pots or a germination box. It should be noted that the celery, regardless of whether it is celeriac, celery or cut celery, is a light germ. You must not cover the seed with soil after sowing.

The cultivation process is as follows:

  • Fill pots / germination box with potting soil
  • Sow seeds, press lightly
  • pour only a little
  • set up bright at 16 to 20 degrees
  • If necessary, cover pots with foil or glass
  • economical watering
  • when the first seedlings are visible, remove the foil/glass or lid of the germination box
  • spend in a cooler place
  • not below 15 degrees
  • prick out when there are two to three leaves

Six to eight weeks after sowing, the young plants can then be transplanted into the garden. Direct sowing outdoors in June is also possible. However, the quality and yields are then much lower than in a culture with early young plants.

Tip: When growing, it is important that the temperature does not drop below 15 degrees, that the soil does not dry out and that there is enough light. Otherwise it can quickly happen that the seedlings shot.

Off to the great outdoors

When it comes to growing celery, or rather moving the sensitive young plants outdoors, the time is a good one. Celery is very sensitive to cold. Therefore, planting out should not take place before the ice saints in mid-May. If the temperatures are still too cool, the little plants tend to bolt quickly. Therefore, planting in early June would be optimal. This reduces the risk of premature shooting. If you ensure adequate water and nutrient supply, the tuber size will not decrease either. The culture in the garden takes place in rows in the bed. Please note:

  • Distance between rows 40 cm
  • Planting distance within the row 35 to 40 cm
  • for cut celery, 20 cm within the row is sufficient
  • don't plant too deep
  • Plant heart must be above the ground
  • If necessary, cover with protective fleece in the first few days

Notice: The planting depth is particularly important for celeriac. If you set it too deep, it can happen that no tuber forms or it is deformed.

location and soil

Choose the location well, because the development and growth of the plants depends on it. Apium graveolens loves a sunny spot. It can also do well in semi-shade, but develops best in the sun. Prepare the soil well before planting. It would be ideal to work in the rotted stable manure when digging in the autumn. However, the soil can still be prepared with compost in mid-April before planting celery.

Furthermore, the celery makes the following demands on the soil:

  • pH 6.5 to 7.5
  • loose structure
  • possibly loosen up with sand
  • profound, rich in humus and nutrients
  • no waterlogging
  • Perennial celery prefers heavy, humus-rich, moist soil
  • Celeriac loves heavy loamy soil with a high humus content
  • Cut celery needs humus-rich, moisture-retaining soil

It is important that crop rotation is observed when growing celery. It should only be planted in the same spot every four years. Since they are heavy feeders, the soil would otherwise be exhausted too much.

tip: Cultivation of celery in mixed cultures has also proved successful. Tomatoes, cauliflower and kohlrabi are ideal for this.

Proper care of celery

Before you can start harvesting, you need good care. Only then is a rich harvest guaranteed. The care measures include:

  • Regular, careful loosening and aeration of the soil by hoeing
  • keep weed free
  • stop chopping for celeriac from July
  • are shallow roots
  • regular watering
  • Avoid waterlogging
  • At the end of July/beginning of August to October, the greatest water requirement for harvesting
  • then watering of 15 liters per square meter
  • from June, weekly administration of plant manure such as comfrey or nettle manure
  • from time to time pouring with salty cooking water possible or
  • Dissolve 1 tablespoon of sea salt in 3 liters of water
  • enough for 15 plants
  • Salt water promotes light color of the tuber
  • fertilize twice in summer and autumn
  • Use of potash and nitrogen-rich fertilizers
  • Potassium fertilizer promotes tuber formation

To encourage good growth and large celeriac bulbs, remove the soil from the top third when the bulb is two to three centimeters tall.

Tip: In order to achieve a milder taste in celery stalks, it is bleached when the stalks are 2 cm wide. Simply remove the outer leaves and wrap the rest in black foil or corrugated cardboard 30 cm high, leaf tuft must be visible. Harvest after 2 to 3 weeks.

Harvesting and storage of celery

Celery does not tolerate temperatures below -3 degrees very well, mainly celery root. Therefore, the harvest should take place before the first frost. Only the celery is less sensitive to cold. In mild winters he can stay in the bed and always freshly harvested , taking into account the following:

celery root

  • Harvest from a diameter of 5 cm
  • is usually harvested in October
  • Carefully lift out the tuber with a digging fork
  • cut foliage
  • just tap the ground
  • Do not wash
  • otherwise durability will be reduced
  • Can be stored in the fridge for several weeks
  • store in the basement in a box with wet sand or peat
  • Tubers must not touch
  • can also be frozen peeled
  • finely chopped and mix with salt in a ratio of 1:1
  • store in sealed jars

celery

  • Harvest from mid-August
  • best taste after the first frost
  • Twist stems individually outwards or inwards or
  • cut completely above the root bulb
  • freezing possible

cut celery

  • from July
  • Cut 2 to 3 cm above the ground
  • shoots out again after 2 to 3 weeks
  • Harvest possible until autumn
  • can be dried
Can celery be grown on the balcony?

Not necessarily celeriac, but celery thrives well in pots. These must then have a diameter of at least 30 cm and a depth of 40 cm. Garden soil mixed with compost is suitable as a substrate. The harvest can take place from June. Of course, cut celery can also be grown in pots.

How can celery seeds be harvested?

In order for it to bloom, the plants must be overwintered. With celery it's not a problem. The situation is different with celery root. He is not cold tolerant. Therefore, before the first frosts, the tubers must be covered thickly with sand. Flowering takes place in the second year. The seed harvest can take place in September.

Why is celery commonly referred to as a superfood?

Vegetables have health benefits. It helps with gastrointestinal complaints, colds and protects the blood vessels. In addition to vitamins C and B, magnesium, potassium and calcium are included.

Category:

Vegetable garden