Celeries in Brighton

Sow seeds thinly around 13th December - 1st January 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 12th January, 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 2nd February. 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 29th January. 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 26th February 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 5th March and keep going to 5th December. 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 11th May once the plants are well filled out. Harvest over 11th May - 5th December by taking what you need from each plant, or lift whole plants when they are fully sized before cold weather slows them down.