They are basically the same thing except for the growing conditions that you artificially create for blanched celery. Blanched celery is paler in color from being wrapped in newspaper for 3 weeks before harvesting.We always set aside space in our home vegetable garden for celery as it is useful in so many dishes and freshly juiced with carrots if feeds your body massive amounts of nutrients. You can either grow “blanched” celery or green celery.
How to grow celery – planting
Celery grown from seed needs to be started in seedling trays. They will take about 14 – 20 days to germinate but do not like to sprout at temperatures above 20 deg celsius.
After about 8 weeks of growth in the seed trays you can transplant them to well prepared beds. Prepare your planting area by loosening the soil to a spades depth and removing any rocks and stones. Dig in lots of compost and manure to the bed.
Long term care
Water each day in hot weather and protect the seedlings from cutworm ny using cutworm collars. After about 4 weeks you will need to feed your plants with a nitrogen feed or some worm tea.
Harvesting Celery
You can choose to blanche the celery 3 weeks before you plan to harvest by tying newspare around the stems. You will then harvest the whole plant. If you do not blanch it, then break or cut off the stems at ground level as you need them.
Quick Notes
When to plant: Sow seed late Summer to Autumn. Plant out seedlings as the weather cools after summer.
How many plants: 6 plants.
How long to harvest: 15 – 20 weeks
Successive planting: Every 4 – 6 weeks
EASY CELERY RECIPE
If you have a juicer make this power packed vegetable and orange juice. Juice together 2 celery stalks, one tomato (skin removed), a wedge of cabbage and 2 oranges. This is a drink full of anti-carcinogens and especially good for woman over the age of 35!
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