CELERY - RED STALK

 Organic Celery Red Stalk

        150 Seeds Pack   

Celery Red Stalk Organic is a striking heirloom variety from 18th-century England, prized for its bold flavour and hardy nature. Unlike modern hybrids, its stalks are slightly smaller but retain their vibrant colour even when cooked, making it a visually appealing and flavourful choice.

Red celery features elongated, upright stalks with a cylindrical shape and ridged surfaces, growing from a single base. The stalks connect to leafy tops with broad, flat, and serrated leaves. Depending on the variety, soil, and growing conditions, the stalks display variegated hues of burgundy, red, purple, and green. Compared to green celery, red celery has a firmer and denser texture, offering a crisp, succulent, and slightly chewy bite. The flavour of red celery is robust, with earthy, grassy, and herbal undertones, providing a richer taste than the milder green varieties. However, it’s worth noting that unfavourable growing conditions can sometimes impart a slightly bitter taste to the stalks. 

PLANTING & GROWING

To successfully cultivate celery, begin by soaking seeds for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, before planting. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, disinfect all pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before reusing them. Celery can be sown as early as February or March in trays or modules with added heat, or in a cold greenhouse in April. Do not cover the seeds, as they require light for germination. Germination typically takes 14–21 days at an ideal temperature of 21°C (70°F).

Once seedlings in seed trays develop true leaves, prick them out and grow them until they reach a robust size of 10–12 cm. For module-grown seedlings, pot them up as needed. Transplant seedlings to individual pots or flats when they are about 5 cm (2 in) tall, approximately two weeks after germination. If using flats, space plants at least 5 cm (2 in) apart in new potting soil. Before transplanting into the garden, harden off plants for a week to 10 days. Transplant outdoors in late May or June, once the temperature is consistently above 13°C (55°F), spacing plants 20 cm (8 in) apart in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart, or in a tight block pattern for natural blanching.

Water plants well an hour before transplanting, and trim outer leaves to help roots recover from transplant shock. Celery thrives in rich, moist soil in semi-shade and requires regular watering during dry spells. To prevent bolting, avoid exposing young plants to temperatures below 10°C (50°F). Harvesting can begin from June onwards, and the plants exhibit hardiness, withstanding light frost.

For optimal growth, follow a 2-year rotation away from other Apiaceae family plants, such as carrots, fennel, dill, parsley, and cilantro. Celery grows well alongside lettuce, spinach, and peas but should not be planted near cucumbers, squash, melons, or pumpkins.