Celeries in Barr's Cottage

Sow seeds thinly around 16th February - 7th March on the surface of fine seed compost, then just cover with a light dusting of vermiculite. Keep them at 15–18 °C and never let the compost dry out.

Prick out seedlings once they are large enough to handle, from 18th March, and move each one into its own small pot. Keep the young plants growing steadily and water gently from below if possible.

Pot on when roots fill the small pots, from 8th April. Use a richer mix and keep the plants moving without checks, as stunted celery rarely recovers well.

Harden off over about 15 before planting out, from 4th April. Stand the plants outside in a sheltered spot by day and bring them back in at night at first, then leave them out for longer each day.

Plant out from 2nd May into rich, moisture-retentive soil once the danger of frost has passed. Set plants 30 cm apart, water in thoroughly at once, and protect them with fleece or cloches if cold weather returns.

Start from 9th May and keep going to 29th September. Water deeply in dry spells and feed every 14 days with a balanced liquid feed to keep growth steady and stems crisp.

Cut the outer stems from 15th July once the plants are well filled out. Harvest over 15th July - 29th September by taking what you need from each plant, or lift whole plants when they are fully sized before cold weather slows them down.