What do you class as a "block" when planting celery?

[Finedon.Dandy]

Just looked at the packet of celery seed as my seedlings seem very slow to get to the first set of true leaves stage (wondering when I should prick them out - they just look too weeny at mo). Anyway got a shock as it mentions planting in a block to protect centres of the plants from getting stringy. When I plant my sweetcorn in a block it has to make do with being in two rows as I plan my plot very much in rows - will this be sufficient for the celery? Surely the outside plants will get stringy anyway? I know this isnt a clear question but celery is new to me and no-one I know has grown it before either so any advice would be appreciated.On the rows either side will be carrots and peas. The variety is Loretta F1.

Thanks.

Tammy

[Capsid]

I just grew mine in rows last year and then wrapped them in cardboard to get them to grow longer stems. After all that they were stringy and a lot of the plant got wasted. I only made soups with them, certainly no good raw in salads. They are too much effort in my opinion.

[Alice]

I grew self blanching celery last year Finedon. I only had 12 and planted them in a block 3x4. They were all good and I didn't notice any difference berween the ones on the inside or ourside.

[zazen999]

Just put loretta f1 celery into google and found the NVS website.

Says plant 9 inches apart each way; with no trenches as they are self blanching.

Like all celerys - needs loads of water or they go stringy.

I usually use the outside stems for soup and the inners for salads. But they need alot of water.

the smell should help deter carrot fly tho; so good companion planting decision there!

[Two_Sheds]

I've given up on celery (tried golden self-blanching) - it was tough and stringy.

Trying celeriac this year as an alternative.

[areia]

i grew self blanching lanthom last year will do again planted them in a block of 12 because you dont have to cover them which i think makes them more stringy and a bit tougher this year i will picking earllier and earthing some of them up to experiment, you can peel the strings out the outer ones i used for stews and the inner ones for salad the middle the rabbit had they lasted over winter too i just left mine frost got to them but they just grew back was immpressed by the determination but i wouldnt of eaten them tough as ole boots by then,

[areia]

i would really consider squeezing your sweetcorn in a min block of 3 x3 i had mine in two rows and got ziltch, im doing mine 6x6 this year and will be shaking them too to give them a boost