Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Celery is one of the most demanding vegetables to grow — it needs a long growing season of 85–120 days, consistently cool temperatures (15–21°C), and abundant, uninterrupted moisture. Any drying out of the soil results in stringy, bitter stalks. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost on the surface of the soil (celery seeds need light to germinate) at 18–22°C — germination takes 10–21 days and is notoriously erratic. Transplant when soil is workable and nights are consistently above 5°C. Grow in very fertile, moisture-retentive soil at pH 6.0–7.0, deeply amended with compost. Space plants 25–30cm apart in rows 60–75cm apart. Water amply — 2.5–5cm per week — never allowing the top 5cm to dry. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 2 weeks. For long, blanched, tender stalks, hill up soil or cardboard around the clump as it grows, excluding light from the outer stalks.
