What is the common key ingredient in a Waldorf salad, Caponata and vegetable stock? Celery of course. Instead of buying a bunch every time you’re making one of these recipes, why not grow your own.
WATCH: Barbecued Lamb Chops With Lazy Caponata
When it comes to growing vegetables in your garden, it’s hard to go past celery. It’s easy to grow, ready to be tossed into tasty salads and in about 14 weeks and you can harvest the stalks without removing the whole plant.
How to grow celery
Aspect
A position in the full sun to part shade, but remember to protect from strong winds.
Climate
Suitable for all Aussie climates.
Soil
Celery will happily grow in deep, well-drained and slightly acidic soil that has been enriched with plenty of organic matter. The roots are shallow, so make sure that the soil is moist to prevent them from drying out.
Water
Water regularly and make sure the soil is kept moist. Do not allow it to dry out as it can become moisture stressed which as a result produces stringy, bitter stalks.
Fertiliser
During the growing season liquid feed regularly with either a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion feed every fortnight.
Mulch
Opt for an organic mulch, like pea straw or sugar cane,and generously spread over the soil to help conserve moisture.
Pests
Snails and slugs can sometimes be a problem. Either barricade in our celery, use traps, or turn to sprinkling bait around garden beds.
Maintenance
Don’t fret, if you notice fungal spots, it can develop on leaves in warm and humid conditions. Simply remove and bin affected leaves. If this becomes a constant nuisance, apply a copper-based fungicide as a preventative spray.
How to regenerate celery
Before you throw out your celery stumps save them as they can regenerate new leaves. Place each stump or stem in a wide, shallow dish with 1-2.5cm of water, replenishing water as needed (even daily) and storing in a cool-but-sunny spot.
You might need
You might also like
Start your own windowsill herb garden
How to grow vegetables from scraps
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
