Crisp, sweet, fresh celery is a must have for the vegetable patch. It’s super easy to grow and thrives in both warm and cold seasons. Celery is a versatile vegetable and an essential crop for any foodie’s garden and kitchen.
All part of celery can be used, from the leaves to the stems and the roots. Young celery has a sweeter flavour and is often used fresh, while the older stems and leaves are more often cooked.
Prepare
Celery requires a deeply worked and moist soil. Full sun is essential for best crop, plant about 30 cm apart in rows. Celery enjoys a cool climate but doesn’t really like frosts. As the stems are made up of so much water, long periods of frost tend to turn them to mulch.
Refer to our Planting Calendar for when to plant in your region.
Plant
Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. Then you can add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.
The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.
Planting in garden beds
- Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain.
- Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
- Partly fill the hole with Tui Vegetable Mix.
- Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole.
- Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix.
- Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
- Water your plant well.
Planting in pots and containers
- Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
- Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix.
- Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container.
- Fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix up to 3cm from the top.
- Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
- Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
- Water your plant well.
Nourish
Feed your plants and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your plants grow to their full potential.
Select a fertiliser specially blended for your crop like Tui Vegetable Food. Feed celery planted in pots and containers with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser. Well watered, well nourished celery will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay.
While your celery are growing regularly apply a dose of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic to give them a welcome boost.
Protect your plants from the elements with layers of Tui Pea Straw Mulch, to help keep their roots moist and keep your garden weed free.
Be vigilant and stop unwanted insects and diseases from ruining your plants. Slugs and snails can be an issue - lay Tui Quash slug and snail control around young plants.