Root celeryis the most common form of celery grown here, next to the ribbed and leaf celery. This was due to the culinary and healingproperties of root celery , which is not only an important ingredient of vegetables, but also the basis of many salads and a good vegetable for juice. See what thecultivation of celery in the plot looks like , what conditions should be provided for this plant to harvest a good crop, and choose the bestvarieties of root celerythat are worth plant in the garden. Here's everything you need to know about growing celery, from sowing seeds to harvesting the good roots.
Root celery
Root celery - properties
Root celeryis a biennial plant growing up to 30 cm in height. The edible part of the root celery is its root, although its leaves can also be used as an addition to many dishes, mainly soups.Celery root can be eatenraw (grated is an excellent ingredient for salads and salads), after cooking, it is prepared into juice and stock. In addition to root celery, there are also celery (leaf) that does not form a storage thickening, and its edible part is thick, fleshy and aromatic leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked.
Introducing celery into your daily dietis recommended due to its high mineral content of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and iron. Celery also contains B vitamins, including folic acid and vitamin PP, and essential oils.The latter give it flavor and aroma, and also stimulate digestion.
As a vegetable that reduces constipation and speeds up digestion, low-calorie celery is recommended for weight loss diets.Celery root juicestimulates the metabolism and helps to remove its by-products from the body, including uric acid, the excess of which in the body leads to joint pain.Boiled celery root decoctionRelieves arthritic pains.
But these are not allmedicinal properties of celeryThis vegetable is also helpful in fighting hypertension and in lowering the level of bad cholesterol, it helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Celery also contains psolaren, a compound with anti-cancer properties.
Root celery - cultivation
Celery is a vegetable with quite high soil and fertilization requirements. Forroot celery cultivationthe best is humus soil, rich, moist (but not wet), with a pH close to neutral (however, it cannot tolerate excess calcium).The ideal soil pH for celery is 6.5 - 7.5. The position should be sunny, but in sufficiently moist soils, celery tolerates light shading well.Root celery can be grownin the first year after organic fertilizers. Brassica and onion vegetables are a good forecrop for celery.
Fertilizing celery
When preparing for celery cultivation , weed the soil well and apply manure in the fall. the amount of 3 kg / m² of bed. If this has not been done, the soil can be enriched with compost in the amount of 5-7 kg / m² of bed in spring. Mineral nitrogen fertilizer can be given just before planting seedlings on the bed and a second dose after about 2-3 weeks.
Good to know!Celery is sensitive to the deficiency of micronutrients, such as boron (its deficiency contributes to the cracking of the leaves at the base and the formation of brown spots on the storage roots) or molybdenum (light green or yellow discoloration of the leaves). For this reason, it is worth using a multi-component fertilizer with microelements to fertilize celery.
Celery seed sowing and seedling production
Celery is grown from seedlingsThe seeds are sown from mid-February to early March in an amount of 2 to 3 g / m². Since seeds need light to germinate, let's not cover them with soil. We can cover them with a thin layer of sand or lightly tap them into the ground. It is worth sowing seasoned seeds, which prevents the attack of celery by fungal and bacterial diseases such as celery septoriosis and black root rot.After the seedlings emerge, the temperature is slightly lowered - celery grows best at 15 to 18 ° C. The seedlings are watered and watered with water at a temperature equal to the ambient temperature, which will prevent the formation of the so-called rushes (inflorescence shoots). Plants with 2 to 3 leaves should be quilt 5x5 cm apart.
When to plant celery into the ground?
When plants have 5 leaves, we can plant them into the ground (from mid-May to June). The recommendedspacing forroot celery is 30 x 40 cm.Remember not to plant the plants deeper than they have grown so far and not to tuck their roots up. "
Remember!Growing celery requires regular watering to keep the soil moderately moist. This is a very important factor in the success of celery cultivation. It is also important to regularly weed celery and to move the soil between the rows so that the soil is not too compact.
Celery harvestingwill be possible from the end of summer until frost. Before the frost sets in, we can spread straw mulch around the plants to protect the leaves.
Root celery - varieties
"CurrentlyRoot celery varietiesare available in a fairly wide variety. They differ in the length of the growing season, susceptibility to diseases and the taste of the root swells. For amateur cultivation, we recommendcelery varieties that are less susceptible to diseasesand less troublesome to cultivate. Below are 4 celery varieties that I have de alt with on my own plot.I especially recommend the first two, Polish and traditional, known to gardeners for years, i.e. Edward and Zagłoba celery. However, it is definitely worth looking for something good for a plot also among newer varieties.
Edward root celery- a variety with very shapely root thickenings and low-set side roots. It yields well. The flesh is white, aromatic, not puffing up. It has a high tolerance to septoriosis. It is suitable for direct consumption, processing and winter storage. "
Root celery Zagłoba- a variety that forms very large root swellings (weighing 0.8 - 1.2 kg) with a smooth, very light skin. The side roots are very thin and extend from the bottom of the bead. The flesh is white, firm, without discoloration and rusty stains and without creating voids, it does not darken after cooking. It is characterized by a good taste and strong aroma.
Root celery Gol- a variety with a spherical thickening with a small area of leaf growth and low-set side roots.Its advantage is tolerance to septoria and good winter storage.
Root celery Apple GOF- early, fertile variety, having a small rosette, almost spherical, slightly flattened root , the flesh is firm, white, firm, aromatic, with a delicate celery smell, suitable for direct consumption on and storage.
