Celery, also known as Apium graveolens var. dulce, is a variety of celery introduced from Europe. Compared to ordinary celery, celery has larger stalks, higher yields, fewer fibers, and better quality, making it highly popular in the market. The planting time for celery varies depending on the region's climate. Here's when to plant celery:
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Northern Regions: April is generally suitable for planting celery in northern China.
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Warmer Southern Regions: Seeds can be sown and seedlings can be transplanted between January and May.
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Yangtze River Basin to Northern China: Celery can be planted around July to September.
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Overwintering Areas: Seeds can be sown between August and September, and seedlings can be transplanted between late October and late November, with harvests expected between February and April the following year.
Key planting techniques for celery include:
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Seedbed Preparation: Prepare a sunny, wind-sheltered, high-altitude, well-drained sandy loam soil for the seedbed. After selecting the site, prepare the soil by applying sufficient well-rotted farmyard manure and laying a layer of nutrient soil.
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Seed Soaking and Germination: Soak the seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours. During soaking, rinse the seeds 3-4 times with clean water and then place them in a cool place covered with a wet cloth for germination.
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Sowing: Mix the seeds with an appropriate amount of sand for uniform sowing. Cover the seeds with soil to a depth of 0.5 cm to ensure uniform germination. Use shade nets on the seedbed to maintain moisture, coolness, and rain protection.
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Planting Density: The planting density is generally 40-50 cm between rows and 3500-4000 plants per mu. However, the specific planting density may vary depending on the celery variety.
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Planting Considerations: Avoid planting celery after shallow-rooted crops such as fennel, coriander, and garlic. Choose robust, disease-free, and uniform seedlings for planting. Provide shade using thin straw curtains during hot weather and promptly remove them after seedlings emerge. Apply 25% herbicides immediately after planting to prevent weed damage.
In conclusion, the outlook for celery cultivation is promising, and its cultivation time and management are similar to those of ordinary celery. Therefore, it is relatively easy to master. Consider planting celery if you're interested in growing celery varieties.
