When to plant celery?

Celery generally prefers cool climates and is cold-tolerant but not heat-tolerant. The suitable temperature range for growth is about 15-20℃. Too high or too low temperature will affect its growth. As a common vegetable variety, the demand for celery vinegar is relatively stable, and there are many vegetable farmers who grow it. So when should celery be planted?

When to plant celery?

Celery prefers a cool climate to grow, and its seeds germinate best in a temperature range of 15-20℃. When raising seedlings in summer, low temperature treatment of seeds can promote better germination. Celery has a high demand for water and requires the soil to remain moist, while the air humidity cannot be too low. Although celery is not very demanding on light, it is relatively shade-tolerant, and celery grown in greenhouses usually grows better than in the open air.

Celery is suitable for growing under moderate temperature conditions. If the temperature is lower than 15℃, its growth rate will slow down and the growth of petioles will also be restricted.

Celery is grown outdoors: usually on a small scale at home, while commercial production mostly uses facility cultivation. It can be planted in spring and autumn. Celery planted in spring is easy to bolt and bloom, while celery planted in autumn grows more vigorously. When planting in spring, the seeds should be transplanted when the minimum temperature reaches above 10℃. In North China, transplanting is generally done in early April and harvesting is done in late May to early June. Seedlings need to be raised in a solar greenhouse in February. For autumn planting, seedlings are raised in a cool place starting in June, transplanted at the end of July, and harvested starting in mid-to-late October.

Planting celery in plastic greenhouses: Generally, it is planted in autumn, and the seedlings are raised in a cool place in June. When raising seedlings outdoors, it is important to set up insect-proof nets. Planting in the greenhouse in early August and harvesting begin in November. Because greenhouse celery has sufficient growing time and suitable environmental conditions, the plants usually grow larger and have better quality.

Water and fertilizer management of celery

1. Celery's demand for water and fertilizer

Celery's fertilizer requirements are relatively comprehensive, but the overall fertilizer requirement is moderate. It not only requires sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also some trace elements. In the early stages of growth, nitrogen deficiency will cause poor plant growth, while in the later stages of growth, nitrogen deficiency will cause yellowing of plant leaves; phosphorus deficiency will affect the elongation of the petiole and reduce the edible part; potassium deficiency will affect the thickness and tenderness of the petiole. Boron deficiency can cause brown streaks and cracks on the petioles, while calcium deficiency can cause the growing points to turn brown and become necrotic. Therefore, when planting celery, fertilization should be comprehensive.

Celery has a well-developed root system, but it is mainly concentrated in the 0-20cm soil layer, so there is no need for large amounts of irrigation when watering, just keep the soil surface moist. Areas with conditions can adopt drip irrigation, micro-spraying and other water-saving irrigation methods to meet the growth needs of celery.

2. Water and fertilizer management methods for celery

Celery is suitable for planting in loam or clay loam that has strong water and fertilizer retention capabilities and is rich in organic matter. When preparing the land, 1,000 kg of organic fertilizer and 50 kg of superphosphate should be applied as base fertilizer.

Celery is usually raised as seedlings before being transplanted, and is planted in flat beds. Since celery plants are relatively large, the plant spacing should be 20-30cm and the row spacing should be 40-50cm. Water thoroughly after transplanting. After that, the celery enters a seedling growth period of about 15 days, during which time the soil can be loosened appropriately.

From planting to the growth of eight or nine leaves, celery grows slowly and its biomass does not change much. This process takes about thirty to forty days. In addition to the initial 15-day seedling acclimatization period, watering and fertilizing are required once afterwards, with 5 kg of urea, 3 kg of potassium sulfate, and 1-2 kg of monoammonium phosphate applied per mu.

When celery grows eight or nine leaves, it enters a rapid growth period, the plant grows vigorously, and the petioles become longer and thicker. More than 85% of celery production occurs during this period, so frequent watering is required to keep the soil moist. Celery planted in greenhouses in autumn should be watered once every 7-10 days. Each time you water, you can apply 5 kg of urea, 3 kg of potassium sulfate, and 1 kg of monoammonium phosphate with the water. Fertilize two or three times during the growing season. During the rapid growth period, attention should also be paid to foliar fertilization, especially foliar fertilizers containing calcium and boron.

In short, to grow celery well, in addition to choosing the appropriate planting time and temperature conditions, you should also provide comprehensive nutrients during the growth process of celery. The amount of fertilizer applied does not need to be too large, but it should be comprehensive, especially when the soil nutrients are insufficient, topdressing should be done in a timely manner.