Growing Celery - is it worth the effort ?

[KevinM67]

I got some Celery seeds last year, but never sowed them.

I scoured the t'Internet back then, looking for advice - and it was pretty scarce, with the general consensus being that they are a difficult thing to grow.

Nobody in our household really likes the stuff, I don't mind it. Saying that, my main reason for trying to grow it would be using in a blended drink, rather than eating it.

I'm curious to know of your experiences, and of course your advice/tips will be warmly welcomed.

[jackarmy]

Im trying it in pots this year Kev, got my inspiration off this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60hnoU_L44A

[Alison]

I don't really like it so don't give it the attention it needs as its not the easiest crop - OH hopes that I'll produce him some one day and I do keep sowing but I never really succeed, my efforts are elsewhere

[KevinM67]

Fantastic, really enjoyed that (could've done with subtitles though )

I've got gazillions of those pots, so that may be the way to go. Interesting to see the additional protection he had them for them also.

Cheers for that.

[KevinM67]

Cheers Alison.

My other half detests the stuff - so I might not get allowed to have a tray of the stuff starting off on the kitchen window sill.

(That's a big bone of contention in our house - I get away with it if growing stuff she likes )

[HoneyChild]

Celery likes it cool and damp so is ideal for me in Scotland. I found it very easy to grow and it didn't get bothered by pests much. I've also been growing them in pots and they keep well over the winter too so I'm still harvesting them.

[Lumpy]

I tried it a few years ago with terrible results. All my fault but it was a shame as I love celery.

I now compromise with the Chinese celery called Kintsai

Chinese Celery 'Kintsai' Seeds £1.95 from Chiltern Seeds - Chiltern Seeds Secure Online Seed Catalogue and Shop

It's not the same but a pretty good alternative.

[Bren In Pots]

I grew the GYO free celery seeds last year called Giant Red they came out a bit spindly and took up a fair bit of space but were fine for soups and stews not sure if I'll bother again though.

[spamvindaloo]

I want to give it a try this year. I don't like the stuff raw and only use it in tomato soup or stew so it mostly gets wasted if I buy a head. Hope to grow it and then just take a couple of stalks at a time.

I'm considering Celeriac too though so that might be a alternative. As I've not grown either celery or celeriac, I don't know which would be the easier to grow

[jackarmy]

Im growing ( or attempting to grow ) Lathom Self Blanching which are also claimed to be stringless.

[roitelet]

I want to give it a try this year. I don't like the stuff raw and only use it in tomato soup or stew so it mostly gets wasted if I buy a head. Hope to grow it and then just take a couple of stalks at a time.

I'm considering Celeriac too though so that might be a alternative. As I've not grown either celery or celeriac, I don't know which would be the easier to grow

Celery of the self blanching variety is probably easier than Celeriac. Make sure it has rich soil and plenty of water, it's a bog plant. The pot idea sounds good, might just try it in the tunnel which is where I grow my celery. I believe that you can use the leaves and stalks of Celeriac as flavoring but I think that the stalks may be a bit tough.

[rana]

Abother vote for chinese celery here. It seems to require less hands on attention than normal celery,

[veggiechicken]

I want to give it a try this year. I don't like the stuff raw and only use it in tomato soup or stew so it mostly gets wasted if I buy a head. Hope to grow it and then just take a couple of stalks at a time.

How about lovage? Its a perennial, pickable nearly all year round (mine's pickable now). the leaves have a strong celery taste but you wouldn't get the "bulk" that you do with celery.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...one_63010.html

[veggiechicken]

Or there's http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ent_70518.html

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

I grew some in the tunnel last year, half a bed of white "Loretta" and half a bed of "Red Giant"

..........

The "Loretta" definitely worth it, so sweet n crunchy, the"Red Giant" as Bren said, bitter and stringy, so that will be getting the elbow.

But "Loretta" will certainly be getting some space on my patch this year!