How to grow leafy celery outdoors?

This vitamin green has long been known and loved by gardeners for its excellent taste and medicinal properties. Growing celery and caring for it in the open field will not be difficult, even for beginners, if you follow the simple rules of agricultural technology. But in return, you can get tops, and roots, and even petioles! True, for this you will have to plant celery of all three types.

General information about celery

Celery varieties are divided into three varieties - leaf, petiole and root. In the conditions of the middle lane, all species can be planted in seedlings, since this culture has a long growing season. In practice, only the latter two are grown in this way, and the leaf is sown directly into the ground in early spring or before winter.

Growing celery outdoors requires soil preparation in advance. Beds for all types are prepared in the fall:

• make phosphorus and potash fertilizers;
• add well-rotted manure or compost;
• add ash or dolomite flour for acidic soil;
• dug with a pitchfork, removing the roots of weeds;
• form beds.

For planting celery in the ground, open sunny places are chosen. The recommended doses of mineral fertilizers are indicated on the packaging, organics are needed for plants on average a bucket per square meter, and the amount of dolomite flour can be calculated based on the level of soil acidity on the site. In a weakly acidic one, 350-450 g per square meter is added, for an acidic one you need twice as much. If the soil is alkaline, you can get by with the introduction of 100-150 g to saturate it with calcium and magnesium.

Growing celery and caring for it in the open field requires frequent watering and regular fertilizing with liquid organic fertilizers - mullein or nettle infusion.

With a lack of water, the leaves and petioles will be rough and fibrous, and the root crop will not reach the desired size.

When to sow seeds

Petiolate and root types of celery are sown for seedlings in February or March. Late-ripening varieties should be sown earlier. Before planting, it is advisable to keep the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate, rinse and remove for 10-12 days on the lower shelf of the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp cloth. Thus, celery seeds undergo stratification and germinate faster and more amicably in the future.

Timing of planting in the ground

When to plant celery in open ground - the weather will tell you. By the time the seedlings are planted, the soil should warm up to +8 degrees. In the middle lane, this usually occurs in mid-May. Seedlings by this time should have several strong leaves, a developed root system and be hardened. To do this, she is regularly taken out to the balcony or street during the day.

Features of agricultural technology

Celery is planted in rows in the ground. The optimal distance between them is at least 50-60 cm, and between plants - 25 cm.

Plants planted in thicker areas will not receive additional nutrients and light. After planting, the seedlings are watered abundantly with water.

In the future, for good growth and development, celery is regularly watered, removed weeds and loosened.

Growing stalked celery in the open field has some peculiarities. Starting from the middle of the season, the bushes are slightly huddled, and at the end of summer, when the petioles have almost reached their presentation, they can be huddled harder and wrapped in light paper. These procedures are carried out in order to obtain bleached stems - they are softer and juicier than unbleached ones.

Growing root celery in the open field also has subtleties, without knowing which it is difficult to get an even and large root crop. Seedlings should be planted on the ridges without deepening. After the plant begins to form a root crop, it is necessary to regularly tear off the outer leaves, carefully trim the side roots and make sure that there are only a few thick lower roots in the ground. The soil is regularly raked and loosened from the roots. Otherwise, there is a great risk of getting a root brush instead of a rounded root crop. A few well-developed young leaves and the lowest roots are sufficient for normal growth of root celery.

When removing excess leaves and roots from root celery, one should not forget about regular feeding with organic fertilizers. Then the plant will form a large root crop.

When the celery is harvested

Harvesting of leaf celery begins as soon as the first greens grow. During the summer period, it is cut off several times. After cutting, the plant is watered and fed.

The petiole and root species are harvested selectively, as individual bushes mature. It must be completed before the onset of autumn frosts, that is, until mid-October.

If you follow these simple guidelines, growing and caring for celery outdoors will be easy and will result in a tasty and vitamin-rich harvest.

Root celery growing video

Growing celery is not considered a difficult task, but it is advisable to know some of the nuances in order to increase the efficiency of the process itself. This plant is of different types, so each has its own characteristics, which it is desirable to take into account when planting in the garden. In this article, we will tell our readers how to grow leaf celery, how to care for it, what beneficial properties it has, as well as possible diseases and pests that can cause damage to the crop.

Botanical description

Today, celery is grown in almost any territory of Russia and in the middle lane. Even a beginner will be able to get a harvest, since leaf celery is quite unpretentious if it is provided with the minimum conditions for growth. It is quite simple to cultivate this leafy vegetable crop in any summer cottage.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that even a basic knowledge of various vegetable crops will make it possible to understand how they should be grown correctly, which cultivation technologies will be the most optimal and effective. As a result, you yourself will be able to make adjustments to the process of growing any crop, taking into account the climatic characteristics of your region.

Celery belongs to the Celery family (otherwise - Zotnichnykh). Currently, there are more than 20 species of this plant.One of the most common is Odorous, which is considered a vegetable crop.

Usually, depending on the variety, the celery is grown for aromatic greens or roots. The crop can be harvested in the first year after planting, despite the fact that the plant itself is biennial. It blooms and gives seeds only in the second year.

The foliage of this vegetable is dissected at the edges, the inflorescences look like small umbrellas, and several small flowers can be seen.

Celery has a taproot regardless of the type of plant. It is round in shape.

The plant propagates with the help of seeds, which are formed in the second year after planting. They germinate very slowly. In this regard, summer residents are trying to grow this vegetable crop through seedlings in order to get uniform shoots. This is convenient for growing the crop in general, but not critical to the result.

There are three types of celery - leaf, root and petiolate. Each of these plant species has a number of its own characteristics.

Beneficial features

I often use celery to prepare various dishes. It improves the taste characteristics, but it is far from being combined with all products. These greens are very useful for the body, rich in vitamins and other useful substances. Improves the immune system of the human body, digestion, and also helps to strengthen blood vessels.

Celery is often included in the diet when diagnosed with gastritis, stomach ulcers and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Also useful for diseases of the genitourinary system. This vegetable prevents the formation of kidney stones, has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and diuretic effects. In case of constipation, it weakens the work of the digestive system, and is used for obesity.

If you regularly eat celery, you can not only normalize the work of the cardiovascular system, but also get rid of insomnia. Restores water-salt balance in the body, raises the general tone of the body, stimulates the brain and improves physical activity.

Due to the wide range of positive qualities that celery has on the human body, many farmers and summer residents began to grow it.

Root celery video

Features of planting and growing root celery, see the video.

Planting and leaving

You can use seeds to plant leaf celery. Planting is almost always done outdoors. As soon as the soil warms up to 10 degrees, you can start planting.

Warming occurs at different times depending on the region. Accordingly, in some places, planting a vegetable crop in the open field can begin in April, and somewhere at the end of May.

Since the cultivation of leaf celery through the seeds is very slow, it will not work to get uniform shoots. In this regard, you can use ready-made seedlings. Usually it is purchased in the markets, since you yourself can choose good bushes and their size. When growing a leaf crop, the seedling method is also better in that it can increase the yield of greens. This method allows you to increase the growing season of plants, which falls on the return of the crop.

It is advisable to sow seeds in open ground in late March or early April. It is preferable to place the seeds in a light potting mix. You can prepare it yourself or purchase it from a specialty store.

In order to make the soil, you need to use mulch, humus, rotted soil from compost. If you mix everything in equal proportions, you get a good base. You can also use peat, some sand.

In order to accelerate the process of seedling growth, it is advisable to treat the seeds with special growth stimulants before planting in open ground.After processing, you can soak the seeds in water to soften them and gradually "activate".

For planting, you can also use small containers that can be carried from place to place. The seeds are planted in boxes, sprinkling the bushes with peat so that you can do without picking. This treatment is suitable for leaf celery, as you ultimately need to get dense greens. It will be enough to periodically thin out the emerging seedlings in order to give more space to each seedling for normal nutrition.

Before the first shoots appear after sowing the seeds, it is advisable to cover the ground with plastic wrap so that the soil warms up better and excess moisture does not get there. If you care properly, and follow the recommendations for preparation, then seedlings can appear in a week and a half. After that, you will need to remove the plastic wrap and put the boxes in the brightest and warmest place.

The optimum temperature will be 14-16 degrees. Such care will strengthen the root system, which is very important for young seedlings and will not allow the seedlings to stretch out.

The main component for successful cultivation of leafy celery seedlings is regular watering, good lighting, since the plant loves sunlight. You will also need to periodically loosen the soil so that water and air better penetrate the root system. When a couple of leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be thinned out.

Then, after warming, in the middle of spring, you can start transplanting seedlings. It is advisable to maintain a distance of about 25 centimeters between the rows, and 20 centimeters between the plants themselves. After a month, the greens will get stronger and become fluffy and begin to interfere with each other. Since celery is well resistant to cold weather, they are not afraid of frost.

Regular watering is desirable for proper maintenance. It is advisable to slightly loosen the soil after each watering, as it is often nailed. And it is advisable to water the seedlings well after each time you cut the young greens. Such care will allow you to better restore strength and grow again.

In order to provide good plant care, it must be grown in a sunny location. The sun's rays accelerate the growth process and also affect the vegetable's juiciness and aroma.

Fertilizers can also be used for care. It will take two feeding during the season. The first will be three weeks after the first shoots appear. For proper care, organic fertilizers are used - bird droppings, diluted mullein solution, as well as wood ash and rotted foliage. The second top dressing is applied to the soil after another three weeks. In addition to organic matter, you can use complex mineral fertilizers, which facilitate and accelerate the process of growing leaf celery.

Growing greenery will allow you to cut the crop within a month and a half after the first shoots appear. If you take care of your leafy celery properly, you can cut the greens 3-4 times per season. If the cultivation started with seedlings, then 4 cuts can be made.

Celery, which is 25-30 cm long, has thick green stems with a specific bitter taste. When the access of light to the petioles is limited, they lose excess essential oils, the vegetable will acquire a more delicate pleasant taste and become white.

Diseases and pests

Caring for celery is quite simple, but remember that problems may arise on the site due to pests or diseases. Always pay attention to how the foliage looks. If it looks withered or begins to wither, then it is better to carefully examine the plant in search of characteristic signs of disease.

There are no special problems and difficulties with proper cultivation of celery. Carrot fly larvae, slugs, scoops, snails can harm him.They can contribute to the development of diseases such as different types of rot, viral mosaic, black leg. In order to protect plants from these misfortunes, it is important to water on time, remove weeds, and thin out plants. Planting celery among other vegetables and herbs also gives an excellent result.

That's all the nuances of how to grow celery in your summer cottage. Knowing agricultural techniques and applying them correctly, any gardener will be able to get an excellent harvest of this fragrant and healthy spicy greens.

Root celery video

All about growing root celery is described in the video.

Leaf celery - growing this plant does not take much time and effort, caring for it is not so difficult, and the benefits are very significant. The plant contains many minerals and vitamins. Celery is a good antioxidant, therefore it is recommended for people with metabolic disorders, as well as for hypertensive patients.

In addition to the leafy species of this plant, there are also root and petiole ones. However, fresh, leafy celery is the best choice for making salads. This particular variety is rich in essential oils and is often grown for its lush, pleasant-smelling greenery.

Before planting this plant in your country house, you need to find out some features, namely:

• the seeds of this culture are very small;
• when grown from seeds, celery leaf shows a not very high percentage of germination.

Advice

Due to the insignificant percentage of germination, the purchase of seeds should be approached very carefully. It is recommended to purchase the seeds of this plant only in specialized stores. It is desirable that they be packaged by the firm that has already formed a favorable impression. Otherwise, it may happen that the purchased seeds will not germinate, and there will be no time for re-planting.

Before planting, it is worth checking the expiration date of the seeds. If it has already expired, then germination will drop significantly, despite proper care.

Technology and features of planting leaf celery

Planting celery can be done in two ways.

1. The plant is sown with seeds directly into the ground. In this case, you should not expect large harvest volumes.
2. Seedling method. It is worth taking a closer look at it.

With the seedling method, planting seeds begins at the end of March. Around this period, you need to soak the seeds at home for a couple of days in water. After that, you should dry them, then mix with sand and start sowing. Planting seeds initially is best in peat cubes. The first shoots should be expected in about 15-20 days. At this time, it is desirable that the room temperature is maintained at 25 degrees Celsius.

When 2-3 true leaves appear on the celery, the plants can be transplanted into a film greenhouse. Seedlings should be planted at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other. At this time, the seedlings must be watered with water at room temperature.

Many gardeners are interested in when to plant celery in the ground. In both the first and second planting methods, celery is planted in open ground in mid-May. At this time, the soil warms up to about 12-15 degrees Celsius. The optimum air temperature for planting celery in the open field is about 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Advice

For planting, it is best to purchase seeds that have a different ripening period. In this case, it will be possible to cut fresh celery throughout the season.

How to prepare the soil for planting

To obtain a bountiful harvest of leaf celery, you need to worry in advance about the quality of the soil where the plant is supposed to be planted. It will be right to choose a site for planting celery in the fall. At this time, it should be dug up to a depth of half a meter and saturated with humus.The best predecessors of this plant are cucumber, potatoes and cabbage.

In the spring, before planting celery, the garden should be dug up again, while fertilizer can be added to the soil. Loose, well-drained and fertile soils that retain moisture are favorable for this plant. It is desirable that the acidity of the soil is neutral. If the soil in which the celery is supposed to be planted is acidic, then lime should be added to it before planting.

The beds where this culture will be planted are best placed in sunny, open places. However, the plant also feels good in the shade. You should not plant this crop next to parsnips, because in this case there is a risk that both plants will suffer from the celery fly.

Leaf celery care

This is an extremely moisture-loving crop, so it needs to be watered abundantly and regularly. You can use up to 5 liters of water per square meter. You should also regularly weed and loosen the soil around the plants.

As this culture grows in the open field, plantings must be thinned out. The weakest shoots should be removed. After the thinning procedure, the distance between the plants should be about 15-20 cm.

During one season, plants need to be fed 2 times. The first time feeding should be done after 2 weeks from planting in open ground, and the second time after 3 weeks from planting. It is necessary to feed this plant with potassium and nitrogen in equal proportions.

It is also necessary to take timely measures aimed at protecting the plant from diseases and pests. Most often, this culture is affected by diseases that are caused by bacteria, fungi and viruses. Moreover, if it is supposed to use fresh celery leaves, then it is not recommended to use chemical preparations to protect it.

Of the diseases of this culture, leaf spot is often found: brown-yellow spots begin to appear on them. At the same time, the affected areas of the plant darken and become covered with bloom. Such a disease is transmitted with seeds, and because of this, it is recommended to pickle them in a formalin solution before planting. For etching, it is recommended to place the seeds for half an hour in a warm formalin solution, and then hold them under burlap at room temperature for 3 hours.

Leaf celery propagates only with the help of seeds.

Popular varieties of leaf celery

Let's list the most successful and new varieties.

• "Kartuli".

It is a variety of Georgian selection, it sprouts well when grown from seeds. The first greens can be cut off already 65 days after the emergence of small shoots. In the summer, the growing greenery can be cut more than once. The plant has an erect rosette, odorous leaves and dark green stems. This variety is resistant to cold temperatures and dry weather. Kartuli leaves are good both dried and fresh. The variety does not require any special care.

• "Samurai".

A feature of this variety is curly greens. It can be cut off already 75 days after the first shoots. Caring for the crop of this variety is simple. The plant forms medium-sized leaves with corrugated edges. This variety has a strong aroma and excellent taste. It is widely used in cooking, and is used both fresh and dried.

• "Gentle".

This is a medium ripeness variety. Produces a good yield when grown from seed in soil. Leaves are of medium length. The culture of this variety has many side shoots. The greens are very fragrant, dark green in color.

• "Cheerfulness".

Celery of this variety is very tall. Its leaves are shiny, strongly dissected. This variety does not require complex care and is not afraid of low temperatures. Resistant to dry weather. Greens from him can be cut off more than once a season.When this celery variety is dried, it emits a pleasant aroma throughout the room.

• "Zakhar".

The first crop of this variety can be harvested 105 days after planting the seeds. The harvest is richer than that of other leafy varieties. New greens after pruning old ones appear quite quickly. Forms delicate leaves with a persistent and pleasant aroma. This variety of leafy celery is very fond of using fresh.

Outcome

Although planting and growing celery requires knowledge of certain nuances, the efforts expended are fully justified. If you take proper care of the plant, you can get a good harvest of fresh celery. Leaf celery can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. For example, add to soups or salads.

Unfortunately, in the gardens of our country, this plant did not find such popularity as dill. However, new varieties of celery are attracted by their characteristics to gardeners, and recently this plant has been found in gardens and dachas more and more often.

Celery (Apium) is a herbaceous rhizome plant of the Umbrella or Celery family. The root is taproot, the leaf plates are pinnately dissected. The flowers are small, gather in simple or complex umbellate inflorescences. The plant is biennial: in the first year it is grown for greenery and root crops, in the second year it gives seeds.

The culture is propagated by seeds. They germinate and develop for a long time, therefore, to get a good harvest, it is advisable to grow seedlings. A feature is that seeds that have lain for 3-4 years have better germination.

Celery was cultivated in ancient Greece, but it has spread widely relatively recently.

Celery growing conditions

How to grow celery outdoors

Growing any kind or variety of celery is about the same, but there are some nuances.

Ground and lighting

Common to all types of celery are soil and lighting requirements:

• Celery grows well on fertile, loose soils of a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.
• The lighting is preferably bright. Slight shading is possible: the leaves will be more fragrant.

Neighbors

Tomatoes, bush beans, leeks will be good neighbors on the site. By planting next to the cabbage, you will save it from the attack of an earthen flea and cabbage whites.

Consider the features of growing for each type of celery.

Growing petiole and leaf celery from seeds

How to sow celery

The plant is cold-resistant. Seedlings will not suffer from light frosts, adult plants winter successfully.

Sowing petiole and leaf celery in the ground

Seeds of leaf celery can be sown in open ground in early spring with the appearance of the possibility of entering the site (March-April) or before winter in late autumn, at the end of October.

• Furrows are filled every 20-25 cm, very shallow, so that the sowing depth is 1-2 cm.
• You need to sow as little as possible, because densely seeded celery will be very difficult to break through.
• Break through the seedlings in three stages: first, leaving 5-7 cm, then - 10-15, in the end - 20-25 cm.

The culture is very fond of water, it should be watered abundantly at least once a week.

Growing petiole and leaf celery through seedlings

Celery petiole cultivation from seeds photo shoots

Start sowing petiole and leaf celery seeds for seedlings at home in early March. The seed should be pretreated: hold it in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for several minutes, rinse well, then place it in a damp cloth in a solution of a growth stimulant for a day. When the seeds have swollen well, they can be sown.

• Fill crates with a mixture of peat, sand, leafy earth, and humus in equal proportions.
• Spread the seeds over the surface at a distance of 1-2 cm, helping yourself with a toothpick, sprinkle a little earth (layer about 0.5 cm).
• Spray from a spray bottle, cover the crops with foil, maintain the air temperature within 18-20 ° C.
• When using quality seeds with pre-treatment, seedlings will appear 5-6 days after sowing.

Celery seedlings need to dive photo

• When the first shoots appear, remove the shelter, lower the air temperature to 14-15 ° C.
• To prevent the seedlings from stretching, not only coolness is required, but also bright diffused lighting (arrange additional lighting if there are no southern windows in the apartment).
• Maintain moderate soil moisture.

Leafy celery seedlings are ready for planting

• With the appearance of 2 true leaves, dive the seedlings - pinching the main root contributes to the further successful development of the root system.
• A week before planting, harden the seedlings: take them out into the open air for the daytime.

When and how to plant petiole and leaf celery seedlings in the ground

How to plant petiole and leaf celery seedlings in the ground photo

• Transplant petiole and leaf celery seedlings into open ground in late April-early May.
• When landing, use the 25x25 scheme.
• The root collar is not deepened.

How to care for leaf celery

The plant is unpretentious in care. Standard procedures should be followed: water regularly, loosen between rows, remove weeds. Mulching the soil will cut the work in half. The moisture level will last longer, it will prevent the appearance of an earthen crust, weeds are less disturbing. Spud the bushes.

Harvest leaf celery regularly. After each cut of leaf celery, it must be watered abundantly, combining watering with top dressing. Mostly organic fertilizers are used: fermented grass, fermented manure or chicken droppings.

Features of caring for stalked celery in the open field

Cultivation of stalked celery is carried out by analogy with leaf celery. Nuances: plant seedlings in grooves 10 cm deep, the apical part cannot be sprinkled with earth.

The plant needs intensive hilling. This measure is necessary to whiten the petioles, which have a more delicate taste without bitterness. Also, a couple of weeks before harvesting, tie the leaves at the top, wrap the petioles with paper to bleach them. Harvest before frost.

How to grow stalked celery correctly, we look at the video:

Growing root celery through seedlings

Root celery has the longest growing season of 150-190 days. Growing seedlings is a must.

When to sow root celery seedlings?

Sowing should be started in 1-2 ten days of February.... The principles of planting and caring for seedlings are the same as for leaf celery. The difference is that not only picking is carried out, but also the transshipment of grown seedlings into more spacious peat cups or pots.

How to sow root celery, look at the video:

When the plants grow a little, it is imperative to make a pick.

How to dive root celery, look at the video:

The grown seedlings of root celery are transferred again into larger pots, when the plants become cramped, and are grown to planting in the ground in May, when the threat of frost has passed.

Celery root seedlings ready for planting photo

Landing in the ground

Root celery is planted in the ground at a distance of 35-40 cm, without deepening the root collar. It is useful to immediately mulch the planting with mowed grass.

How to care for root celery outdoors

• When growing root celery during the summer, you should not cut off the leaves: by mid-August, organic matter accumulated in the leaf plates passes into root crops.
• The top of the root celery sticks out of the soil - this is normal, so avoid the temptation to huddle the plant.This is contraindicated, since the active formation of lateral shoots will begin, and the main root will turn out to be flawed.
• Keep the soil slightly moist at all times between June and October.
• A couple of weeks before digging up the roots, remove the lower leaves and side shoots, partially rake off the ground.
• Root crops are harvested around the end of October.

Celery diseases and pests

Possible diseases of celery: leaf spot, mosaic virus, blackleg, white stem rot, heart rot, stem root rot.

To avoid such problems, agrotechnics should be observed (crop rotation, weeding, thinning, do not allow the soil to become waterlogged).

In case of disease, treatment with a fungicide should be carried out.

Conduct pest control. They not only damage the plant, but also carry disease. Celery can be harmed by snails, slugs, scoop larvae, carrot flies. Collect gastropods by hand, use traps, insecticide treatment will save the rest.

Types and varieties of celery

There are about 20 types of celery in the natural environment. Celery is cultivated.

There are three types of celery:

1. Leafy - cultivated to produce leaves that can be cut all season (from spring to late autumn).

Popular varieties of leaf celery: Zakhar, Vodrost, Tender, Kartuli.

2. Petiolate - the purpose of cultivation is juicy petioles. Harvesting takes place at the end of summer.

Sorts: Malachite, Gold, Jung, White feather.

3. Root - grown to produce large root crops weighing 400-800 g. They are harvested in autumn.

Root celery varieties: Diamant, Maxim, Esaul, Gribovsky.

When choosing a variety, pay attention to the ripening period: early, medium, late. They also differ in taste. The information is indicated on the seed package.

Useful properties of celery

The plant is rich in a set of substances useful for the human body. These are vitamins (A, E, C, K, vitamins of group B and PP), macro- and microelements (calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, sodium, manganese, magnesium), amino acids (arginine, lysine, histidine), fiber , essential oils.

Also, the plant is an aphrodisiac.

Contraindications to eating are pregnancy and breastfeeding (it lowers milk levels, bloating may appear). If you have a stomach ulcer, urolithiasis, or varicose veins, you should treat celery with caution.

Depending on the type of plant, a certain part is used for food: leaves, petioles, root crops. They have a bittersweet taste and pleasant aroma. They are added to various dishes fresh, prepared side dishes, pates, and used in home canning. Leaves can be frozen. The dried and milled parts of the plant are a spice. Celery seeds are used to flavor table salt.

Celery will benefit your site too. Earthworms like to be in the roots of the plant - they contribute to the formation of humus (fertile layer of the earth). To attract them to the site in large numbers, sow or plant celery in a circle to create a "cozy house".