Right two years running two years failings. tips needed to grow CELERY. I've got a self-blanching seed packet yes i know some scorn these but I'll try one more time with this lot of seeds and if i have at least a 25% success rate I'll try the one where I'll have to blanch them manually so to speak.
Third time lucky ;D. How about splitting your seed into four piles (don't sneeze) and trying four different ways of sowing it. Seed in the ground, seed in trays,warm, seed in trays cold and seed on damp paper.
Then let the rest of us know how to be succesful.
nah, its not possible, celery is a myth it doesnt grow
lbb
I tried last year for the first time. I did not cover the seed just sprinkled it on the surface of damp compost and put into a propagator, most of it germinated. It was "Galaxy" and it was on the windowsill in the spare bedroom.
Quote from: Mowhay on February 06, 2009, 08:20:17
I tried last year for the first time. I did not cover the seed just sprinkled it on the surface of damp compost and put into a propagator, most of it germinated. It was "Galaxy" and it was on the windowsill in the spare bedroom.
ok it germinated but did you get celery at the end?
I only grew it in containers but got about 12 plants which provided sticks of celery about the size of your fingers which my family said tasted good. They were ideal size for using with dips.
ours germinated, grew quite big and was too strong to eat as it was, nice for soups and stews (golden self blanching), grown in a trench and kept wet..prefer to grow celeriac, at least we get a crop ;D
Quote from: littlebabybird on February 06, 2009, 08:16:28
nah, its not possible, celery is a myth it doesnt grow
lbb
;D ;D ;D
i,m starting to think so as well LLB ;)
the thing is germination has never been a problem and i don't think underwatering or feeding has been problems either.
the first year was brand new filled manured beds with a very wet 2007 summer plus me watering during the odd dry spell gave me huge plants but thin stringy stalks :-X had lots leaves which i used to flavour stews and in sandwiches, etc right into spring of 2008 (the plants with the mild winter just kept producing fresh leaves and a couple of tender but short stalks).
last year again great 100% germination into healthy transplants which went into a bed which had homemade compost worked into the soil. again another wet summer with me filling in when the sun decided to make a show and all i got were plants that barely got to 8'' high very stringy thin stalks and very little leaf to even use as i did the year before and with a proper winter this time the plants were composted ages ago due to them being frosted so i really got nothing for my efforts last year :-X :-\ :(.
manicscousers you grew them in a trench was this to aid in them remaining moist?
A few years ago I tried a self blanching variety, in a raised bed, planted close together, loadsa manure etc etc. They grew into huge healthy plants, but were stringy and inedible.
Last year and the year before I tried the earthing up type. Followed instructions to a tee, both times I got stringy little plants, well attacked by slugs, snails and whatever else eats celery. The bits that were edible were lovely, but they took too long to clean and pick off the "nasty" parts.
I'll try a block of self-blanching again this year, and a small trench of non-self-blanching again this year. I WILL NOT BE BEATEN >:( >:( >:( >:( They germinate beautifully, grow into strong seedlings, they grow on well but ... ... ... the finished product is not acceptable.
Grrrrrr
Quote from: asbean on February 06, 2009, 11:12:41
A few years ago I tried a self blanching variety, in a raised bed, planted close together, loadsa manure etc etc. They grew into huge healthy plants, but were stringy and inedible.
Last year and the year before I tried the earthing up type. Followed instructions to a tee, both times I got stringy little plants, well attacked by slugs, snails and whatever else eats celery. The bits that were edible were lovely, but they took too long to clean and pick off the "nasty" parts.
I'll try a block of self-blanching again this year, and a small trench of non-self-blanching again this year. I WILL NOT BE BEATEN >:( >:( >:( >:( They germinate beautifully, grow into strong seedlings, they grow on well but ... ... ... the finished product is not acceptable.
Grrrrrr
i know exactly how you feel :'( come on celery experts give the advice that we need pleeaassee :)
After reading this thread I am glad I hate celery!! ;D
Duke
It's not something I go out of my way to eat, but it is SO useful in casseroles and the basis for everything, really. It's just convenient to have it on hand rather than having to remember to buy it at the farmers' market.
This thread might help you....
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,42098.msg423029/topicseen.html#msg423029
thanks Deb P for the link.
so far I've got
- grow in a trench
- ensure the soil is very fertile, (as i have forgone manure this year because i can't find a reliable clean source, would lots of homemade compost do??
- flood the trench with water every 3 - 4 days unless there was heavy rainfall
- feed about once a month (would comfry & nettle tea be good enough. i will be collecting some seaweed over the next few weeks and plan to make some tea from that as well, so which will be better??)
anything else ???
Whether trenching or not, I think it is best to grow in blocks (i.,e, have the trenches close together) because exposure to sun makes the stalks prone to going stringy.
Quote from: thifasmom on February 06, 2009, 11:58:18
thanks Deb P for the link.
so far I've got
- grow in a trench
- ensure the soil is very fertile, (as i have forgone manure this year because i can't find a reliable clean source, would lots of homemade compost do??
- flood the trench with water every 3 - 4 days unless there was heavy rainfall
- feed about once a month (would comfry & nettle tea be good enough. i will be collecting some seaweed over the next few weeks and plan to make some tea from that as well, so which will be better??)
anything else ???
Quote from: Barnowl on February 06, 2009, 12:13:46
Whether trenching or not, I think it is best to grow in blocks (i.,e, have the trenches close together) because exposure to sun makes the stalks prone to going stringy.
but mine were in semi-shade last year :-\
They are meant to like a bit of shade but mine don't have a choice!
If all else fails grow some lovage :)
Quote from: Barnowl on February 06, 2009, 12:37:35
They are meant to like a bit of shade but mine don't have a choice!
If all else fails grow some lovage :)
yep well they will be in another semi shaded spot this year and if i dont get a decent crop thats it.
hmm lovage i'll have to research that one :)
::)Hi I am new to this site
my name is jackie and I live in essex
have just got my first allotment
and looking forward to chatting to you
about the allotment
bye
There is no great secret to growing Celery all they need is manure and water.
Prepare the ground by digging in well rotted manure, if this is not available buy some 6 X or organic manure and dig that in.
Grow it in blocks and keep the soil moist but not not sodden.
Celery grows from the heart outwards so remove the small side shoots regulary.
if you want longer plants then collar up two thirds of the plant.
it is very atractive to slugs so you will need to use slug pellets around the base of the plant.
if you want to grow extra large celery then i recomend Ideal.
Quote from: thifasmom on February 06, 2009, 12:23:59
Quote from: thifasmom on February 06, 2009, 11:58:18
thanks Deb P for the link.
so far I've got
- grow in a trench
- ensure the soil is very fertile, (as i have forgone manure this year because i can't find a reliable clean source, would lots of homemade compost do??
- flood the trench with water every 3 - 4 days unless there was heavy rainfall
- feed about once a month (would comfry & nettle tea be good enough. i will be collecting some seaweed over the next few weeks and plan to make some tea from that as well, so which will be better??)
anything else ???
Quote from: Barnowl on February 06, 2009, 12:13:46
Whether trenching or not, I think it is best to grow in blocks (i.,e, have the trenches close together) because exposure to sun makes the stalks prone to going stringy.
but mine were in semi-shade last year :-\
Quote from: davyw1 on February 06, 2009, 14:33:11
There is no great secret to growing Celery all they need is manure and water.
Prepare the ground by digging in well rotted manure, if this is not available buy some 6 X or organic manure and dig that in.
Grow it in blocks and keep the soil moist but not not sodden.
Celery grows from the heart outwards so remove the small side shoots regulary.
if you want longer plants then collar up two thirds of the plant.
it is very atractive to slugs so you will need to use slug pellets around the base of the plant.
if you want to grow extra large celery then i recomend Ideal.
- right remove side shoots (at what stage do i start doing this ???)
- slug damage i've had that so slug pellets check
- for a longer plant use collars (again at what stage should i put these on and whats the best thing to use ???)
dear lord what have i let myself in for :-\
I have tried to grow it but the time has come for me to admit defeat. Last year I grew Parcel. Looks like parsley but tastes like celery. If I really want to crunch then I buy it
This is what i do.
First of all regardless of what type of celery it is, self blanch or none self blanching.
I prepare the ground with manure and plenty of it as celery is a hungry plant about a month before planting.
When it comes to planting i put the young plants in at about 1" depth in blocks about one foot apart. I put a ring of slug pellets around the plant and let it grow on. i remove any side shoots as i find them. There is no need to feed them at this point as there should be plenty in the ground. When the plant is about one foot high i then collar it with damp course or cardboard tied with string, I the put the slug pellets inside the bottom of the collar.
If you think they need a feed then use a liquid manure. I put a sack of manure in a barrel and stir before use. If you have no manure then put a few handfulls of organic manure in the barrel and again stir before use.
i water just enough to keep the ground moist at the root.
Quote from: davyw1 on February 06, 2009, 14:33:11
Celery grows from the heart outwards so remove the small side shoots regularly.
Thanks Davyw, hadn't though of that. I tend to have a number of thinner stalks so removing side shoots might be the solution.
Quote from: twins 59 on February 06, 2009, 13:52:50
::)Hi I am new to this site
my name is jackie and I live in essex
have just got my first allotment
and looking forward to chatting to you
about the allotment
bye
Hi Twins59, welcome to the site :)
Thanks for the tips Davy, will bookmark this thread for later :) :) :)
Welcome to A4A, Twins59 :) :) :) :)
Quote from: Barnowl on February 06, 2009, 12:37:35
They are meant to like a bit of shade but mine don't have a choice!
If all else fails grow some lovage :)
why havent i heaed of this?
what is it?
lbb
thanks davy for the clear step by step guide, i will try to make you proud ;).
bookmark done.
welcome twins 59 to A4A ;D
Quote from: littlebabybird on February 06, 2009, 15:47:16
Quote from: Barnowl on February 06, 2009, 12:37:35
They are meant to like a bit of shade but mine don't have a choice!
If all else fails grow some lovage :)
why havent i heaed of this?
what is it?
lbb
http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/herb_plants/lovage_plant/
Lovage went out of fashion but I think it might make a comeback. I've been trying to find a recipe for lovage cordial but rather than hijack this thread I'll start a new one.
Here's bit of chapter & verse on lovage
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lovage42.html (http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lovage42.html)
Welcome Twins 59,
Great info, Im trying celery this year :D
Welcome to the site Jackie (Twins59)...
We have almost cracked Celery and Celeriac... Lovage is just a monster... :o
Quote from: saddad on February 06, 2009, 16:24:54
Welcome to the site Jackie (Twins59)...
We have almost cracked Celery and Celeriac... Lovage is just a monster... :o
how big a monster cause as its a perinneal i was thinking of adding it to my herb bed.
wotcha twins 59
how big a monster cause as its a perinneal i was thinking of adding it to my herb bed.
[/quote]
Just cut it back regularly during the growing season - it seems to flourish under a punitive regime - and dig out half the roots every winter. :)
brilliant, i'm going to grow lovage then, and have a break from trying celery.
lbb
thanks barnowl, will keep a look out for seeds whenever i'm browsing seed sections of stores.
thanks again everyone for all the helpful advice re growing celery, i now feel equiped to give it ONE LAST TRY!!! :D
Good luck all you celery growers.
Mine looked brilliant last year but was stringy and not edible in a salad, wont be growing that again. I wonder why it is so hard to grow, maybe it is better grown in a poly tunnel.
the trenching, I think, was in that very hot year, remember it, anyone, 2006? ;D
it was to help the celery stay damp, loads of well rotted muck in the bed, don't know what went wrong :-\