Celery

[Barnowl]

I've read that even with self-blanching, direct sunlight tends to make the stalks stringier which is why I plant in quite dense blocks, but would welcome support or otherwise of this theory. Think I planted too tightly this time as the stalks were a bit thin.

This block was grown from transplanted seedlings grown in cells and planted out around the end of May. We have light free draining soil and so have to be careful not to let the celery dry out. Composted manure was dug in around March/April

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There are four varieties in the picture, although you can't see much difference: Blush, Victoria, Tango and Granada. They all came out much the same but I found Granada and Blush were the hardiest when the cold weather arrived, though Blush was quite stringy Going to try Giant Red and Utah this year.  If you want to have another go Trevor, PM me for some seed  :)

[Barnowl]

[Hyacinth]

I'm picking up a bit more info here, then,  and thanks 'Owl for the pics....

I've a plot, ex-compost plot, which will be idea for the conditions you describe including light levels,  and so I'll earmark part of this for them. 8)

Now then...varieties? You've all, obviously, got your faves which have given successful returns, so which might be your absolute faves? 'Golden Self-Blanching' (thanks Manics) is there, but, out of the others you've grown successfully, which other might I ( well we = me'n'Manics) try? Deb.....which variety will you be pulling at Christmas ?

ps from the reading of this post, I'm surprised that this has engendered the interest it has....thought that celery wasn't on most peeps' 'Fave' list?  But it is on mine, and I'd really like to give it go, so thanks for all the info. 8)

[ACE]

ps from the reading of this post, I'm surprised that this has engendered the interest it has....thought that celery wasn't on most peeps' 'Fave' list?  But it is on mine, and I'd really like to give it go, so thanks for all the info. 8)

I'm not a great lover of the stuff unless it is cooked, 1 exception for a waldorf salad. But it is a crop that pays for its keep, and the challenge is always there to grow a lovely long white perfect one. My family love the stuff and will grab a stick instead of an apple, I always gave it to the kids, straight out of the ground and rinsed in the stream when they were 'helping' me. Don't tell mum I used to say and I think the naughtyness of eating it raw has stuck with them and they grow it theirselves.