Celery - do they need light or not

[jajasam]

Apologies if the question has already been asked - I have conflicting advice on the germination for Celery - seed packet states half an inch deep, but I have also recently read that the seeds NEED light to germinate, so therefore do not cover - help very much appreciated, what are your experiences please.
I am as ever looking forward to a challenging year........ slugs, pigeons, 3 year olds etc etc
TIA

[jajasam]

[Roy Bham UK]

Hello jajasam, welcome aboard :D

[Svea]

i germinated the celery on top, pressed lightly into the moist soil, then covered with a lid.
not sure about masses of light though - until they came out i had the tray standing on the kitchen table, not on the window sill

didnt do any harm
svea

[jajasam]

Roy Bham UK
many thanks.....

[tim]

My celery said 'surface sow'!

[plot51A]

Hi jajasam! and welcome from another newbie.
This is my experience this year with celeriac - same family and similar seeds. I planted some in cells with covering of perlite and put them to germinate in my cold frame - sow under cover it said. Then I read that
1. thay should be on surface of the compost and
2. they need 20 degrees to germinate.
So I planted some more but on the surface and put them in my heated propogator. Left the ones in the cold frame just to see what happened. Result? Both sowings have germinated (cold frame took longer obviously but they were in earlier anyway!). Am now overrun with celeriac seedlings........

[Mrs Ava]

I covered mine, albeit lightly.  Emma, you MUST read the packets when you are sowing!!  Mind you, all germinated and after them were pricked out, I ended bunging a good couple 'a dozen on the compost heap!

[jajasam]

My Celeriac germinated very well, lightly covered. But NO show with the Celery - never mind, still plenty to get on with.
Thanks for all your replies.