Did you know you can plant the base of a celery stalk and it will grow new celery??
In Florida, celery is grown entirely as a winter crop from fall-sowed seed. In the Middle and Upper South it is grown as a fall crop, coming in about Thanksgiving or Christmas.
A spring set crop is usually disappointing in Lower and Middle South unless it can be set early enough to mature before hot weather. In Upper South and mountain regions, a spring-set crop does quite well.
Sow seeds in May or June on a well prepared bed. Put seed on lines marked out on the surface about 6 inches apart. Put seed in with the back of a spade, but do not cover. Then cover the bed with burlap sacks and water well. This will hold moisture at the surface and prevent crusting.
As seed germinate, the sacks must be lifted up gradually and finally removed. Then the plants must be kept clean of weeds.
As soon as plants are large enough to handle, transplant them to another bed in similar rows, but set 2 inches apart so they will get strongly re-rooted.
If tops grow too strongly, they can be sheared somewhat. This will make strong plants for setting in late August or September.
Plant in rows 3 to 4 feet wide, setting plants 6 inches apart in the row. Be sure the ground is unusually well prepared and fertile. Water thoroughly immediately after setting, and repeat once a week until fall rains set in.
Blanching is not necessary with most varieties. However, if you wish white rather than green stalks, you can blanch it as follows: After proper size has been reached, blanch stalks by standing 12-inch boards on either side, close to the plants. These keep light from the main stalk. Leave 4 to 6 inches of the tops above boards. Or wrap stalks with heavy paper, up to 4 to 6 inches from the top. Usually 10 days to 2 weeks will cause sufficient blanching.
Celery will stand considerable cold, but before hard freezes arrive it should be used or dug and stored by transplanting in soil in cellar, boxes, etc. Many prefer the soil method of blanching and storing, as follows: When nights get cool in late fall, pull soil to plants on both sides of row. Continue this process as plants grow, taking care not to work in the celery when leaves are wet.
Just before hard freezing weather is expected in late November or December, cover entire row with soil 6 inches deep, and cover over thickly with straw. Then dig celery and use as wanted.
