Tall Utah Celery

Apium graveolens – Tall Utah Celery

110 days from transplant. [1953] 30 in. plants are medium dark green, with 12 in. crisp, tender and tasty stalks. Pkt (0.5 g, about 1230 seeds)

How to Grow: Celery and celeriac are moisture-loving, cool-season crops that have similar cultural requirements. They do well in muck soils and well-drained soils high in organic matter. Both crops do best in areas free of temperature extremes. Central Virginia temperatures are often too hot to grow celery and celeriac well. Roots of celery rarely extend more than 8” in any direction and so must be kept well watered and fertilized during the growing season. Use a thick mulch to retain moisture. During the summer, partial shade at mid-day may be helpful. In the fall, dig up and transplant mature plants to a greenhouse; protected plants can keep producing stalks all winter that are milder than summer harvests.

Sowing Instructions: Sow seed no more than 1/8” deep in sterile seed starting mix. Keep temperature between 70-75 degrees F. Transplant when plants are 2-1/2 to 3” tall. Germination is slow, typically 14-21 days at 65-75 degrees F.

Planting Times: In Virginia, sow seed in late January or early February for transplanting into a cold frame in March. Then transplant to the garden from May 1 to June 1.

Premature Bolting: If plants are exposed to night temperatures below 55 degrees F for more than 8-10 days the plants will go to seed.

Spacing: Space 8” apart in rows 2-1/2’ apart.

Packet: Celery, 0.5 g (about 1230 seeds); celeriac, 0.25 g (about 660 seeds).