Celery - Tall Utah 52-70

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 2094 seeds per gram.
Apium graveolens
Lot# CE24310
Tall Utah is a very dependable dark green celery that grows between 45-61 cm (18-24”) tall.  It is a compact plant with tightly folded hearts, and broad, thick, well-rounded stalks.  It holds its form and color in the field well.  Celery is a cool season biennial (2 year for seed) from the Umbelliferae family which include vegetables such as carrot, dill, parsley and parsnips.  It is a long season crop that can be tricky to grow as it will not tolerate heat and can be difficult to transplant.  Mature celery lasts into winter with light frost protection.
 Planting Instructions:
  • Celery seeds should be started indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost in your area.   Optimal soil temperature: 15-24°C (60-75°F).  Seeds can take anywhere between 7 to 21 days for germination.  Soak in water over night before planting.   Sow seeds no more than 5-12 mm (¼-½") deep.  Sow 3-6 seeds per pot or heavier, and thin to the strongest plant. Once the seedlings have five to six leaves, which should occur around 2 to 3 weeks before the last average frost date, they may be transplanted to the garden.   Select a cool location to transplant as celery does not like heat whatsoever.  Celery has a compact shallow root system that does not like to be disturbed and it is a heavy feeder so keep soil moist.  Space at 20-25 cm (8-10”) in rows that are 61 cm (24”) apart. Ideal pH:  6.0-6.9. Tie growing celery stalks together to keep them from sprawling – we use Velcro strips and keep soil moist- cover with mulch or use drip irrigation.
  •   Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.0-6.9. 
  •   Planting Depth:  6-12 m (¼-½”) deep. Sow seeds no deeper than 12 mm (½”). Space at 20-25 cm (8-10”) in rows that are 61 cm (24”) apart.
  • Germination:  7- 21 days.
  •   Height at Maturity: 45-61 cm (18-24”) tall.  Spread is about 30 cm (12”). 
  •   Days to Maturity:   90-100+ days for maturity 
  •   Watering:    Celery needs a steady supply of moisture. 
  •   Sun/Shade:  Full Sun      Can tolerate some shade.
  •   Spacing after Thinning:  20-25 cm, (8-10") apart.   Plants in rows that are 61 cm (24”) apart.
Additional Information
If your celery has a bitter taste, try blocking out sun light from the plant with cardboard or mounding up the soil around the base of the plant around 10-14 days prior to harvesting.  This process can help slow down the enzyme development about ten to fourteen days before harvest. Your crop won’t be as green after this blanching process, but it should taste much less bitter.  After harvest, cool stalk heads immediately in water. If freshly harvested celery is bitter, store just above freezing for a few days to improve flavor. Start harvesting your celery crop before the first hard frost is scheduled for your area. When the base of each celery plant is about 5-7.6 cm (2-3") in diameter, they are mature and ready to be picked. With a sharp knife, cut the celery right at the soil level, or slightly below if you prefer. You may store celery for 7 to 14 days in a plastic bag in the refrigerator after rinsing, drying and removing any blemished or damaged leaves and/or stalks. Freezing celery causes the vegetable to lose its crispness, though it is still good to use in cooked dishes and stews. Before freezing, blanch celery stalks in boiling water after cutting them into one inch lengths. Then, you may drain, cool, and package. Celery stalks may also be frozen as is with no blanching. Celery seeds are viable for two to three years.