Celeries in Ganderstreet

Sow seeds thinly around 9th February - 28th February 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 11th 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 1st 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 28th March. 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 25th April 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 2nd May and keep going to 19th November. 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 8th July once the plants are well filled out. Harvest over 8th July - 19th November by taking what you need from each plant, or lift whole plants when they are fully sized before cold weather slows them down.