The Seed Program
Growing Hints
This is one of the many growing hints that are available as a
bonus with a registered copy of The Seed Program.
Celery
Celery can be a challenge to grow from seed. The seeds are tiny,
they take about two weeks to germinate, and the small seedlings
develop rather slowly. So patience is essential when growing celery.
The long growing season, together with the attention needed by
the tiny seedlings, means that celery is best started indoors
early in spring or late winter. The tiny seeds are left on the
surface or covered with a pinch of soil. It is sometimes helpful
to cover the seeds with a damp paper towel or place the planting
container in a plastic bag to help keep the seed moist.
Celery plants love damp soil at all times. In fact, they will
thrive in a mucky area with poor drainage where few other plants
will grow well. If you have such an area, you owe it to yourself
to grow celery. If you don't have such an area available, use
a thick mulch and keep the soil as moist as possible.
Celery plants were traditionally blanched when nearing maturity.
This is usually done by mounding up soil around them, wrapping
them in paper, or using some other material to keep the bottom
three quarters of the plant shielded from exposure to the sun.
This will yield a tender and more succulent plant (that more closely
resembles the "celery hearts" available at grocery stores),
but also one that is not quite as nutritious. Most modern varieties
of celery, such as the popular "golden self- blanching,"
taste quite good without blanching.
For more crops, more complete gardening information, a garden
journal and a planting schedule you can customize for your region,
purchase The Seed Program!
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