Vegetable

• Crops in : 100 Days

Description

Plants produce strong upright stalks that taste crisp, clean and succulent. Bolt-resistant holding quality a long time. The lightly ribbed stalks of Celery Victoria maintain an appealing vitamin-rich apple-green colour, changing to white at the base. Grows where traditionally difficult.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds from late winter to spring on the surface of a moist peat based compost, do not cover the seed as light aids germination. Seal in a polythene bag or cover with glass until germination which takes 10-16 days at 21C (70F). Grow on at a cooler temperature 16-18C (60-65F), and in good light but shade from strong sun.

Growing Instructions

Transplant when large enough to handle into boxes. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost in late spring. Plant 23cm (9in) apart each way in blocks not rows in rich well drained soil to which plenty of well rotted compost has been added.

Aftercare

Water copiously in dry spells. Pick the sticks from late July onwards and harvest them all before the frosts.

Nutritional Information

Celery and Celeriac are high in fibre but low in calories. They are a good source of potassium and have long been suggested as a way of lowering blood pressure.