
Celery
- Botanical Name
- Apium graveolens var. dulce
- Hardiness
- Biennial, grown as an annual
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Moist, rich in organic matter, tolerates damp conditions
- Planting & Care
- Celery should be started indoors, with soil temperatures between 70°F and 75°F
- Celery is difficult to germinate. It doesn't tolerate heat and a stretch of cold temperatures after transplanting outdoors can cause the plants to bolt (flower and form seed)
- Harden plants off by reducing water, not lowering exposed temperatures
- Space transplants 6 to 12 inches apart in rows spaced 18 to 36 inches apart
- Set out in the garden 2 weeks before the last expected frost date
- Use a floating row cover to moderated soil and air temperatures around the plants and protect plants from insects
- Mulch soil around plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Do not let plants dry out as they become bitter and fibrous
- Problems
- Aphids, cabbage loopers, cutworms, whiteflies, tarnished plant bug
- Varieties
- Tall Utah 52-70R - resistant to bolting and disease, compact 12"
- Redventure - ornamental stems sporting red interior
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