Petiole celery can be classified as one of those vegetables that are used to prepare delicious dishes. Chefs prepare soups, salads, sauces and snacks. It is worth noting that it is very difficult to find this vegetable on store shelves. It is incredibly useful, but more often you can find celery grown in the garden of any housewife. It is almost impossible to doubt all the beneficial properties of celery.
This vegetable is rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, K, PP, as well as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium. Coumarin, which is contained in this plant, is used to prevent cancer. Thanks to frequent consumption of celery, you can significantly improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and help you get rid of excess weight.
Whitening celery stalks
The best time for bleaching celery petioles is mid-summer - the plant has already reached 28-30 cm in height and 1.5-2 cm in thickness. During this period, the side stems are removed, the petioles are wrapped in paper and not tightly, but firmly secured. hose and then sprinkle a little earth.
At the end of summer - beginning of autumn, the plant is hilled up so that only leaves remain above the highest of the ridges - in this case, soil should not be allowed to get into the middle of the bush at the growth point.
With this method, long, whitish, tender cuttings will form on leaves developing without access to light, and this method is used in practice as the leaf grows, additionally wrapping and hilling the plant.
Celery cuttings can be bleached at one time - with the help of one hilling, but the root crop itself in this case will acquire an unpleasant earthy odor and become covered with mold.
Stem celery, what it looks like, description and photo
As the name suggests, the main part of this species is the stem. Externally, it differs from other species in its long, juicy petioles and the absence of a pronounced tuber.
The petioles formed in the first year of cultivation are eaten. If harvesting is late, hard fibers form in the stems, making them unsuitable for consumption.
Left for the second year, the plants produce flower stalks. In this case, cross-pollination of varieties occurs with the loss of varietal characteristics by the descendants. To prevent this, it is recommended to separate the beds by a sufficiently large distance in the second year.
The stems are used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology and even medicine. The latter is due to the rich chemical composition and variety of useful elements.
When should you harvest stalked celery?
Experienced gardeners begin harvesting cuttings of celery in September-October , when they begin to dig it up selectively, gradually and until mid-autumn they complete the process in full, before the first ground frosts.
In this case, all work should be carried out in sunny, dry weather in order to give the plant time to dry in the fresh air and only then begin to process it and then store it for winter storage.
Greens should be trimmed, and the rhizome should be stored at a temperature of 3-5°C. in a dark place.
Planting and care
It is recommended to plant seedlings in open ground. This is due to the fact that many seeds require high temperatures to germinate. In this case, it is important that the seedlings, by the time of planting, have formed four to five leaves and the total height of the stems is at least 15 cm.
Celery grows best on a loose, fertile substrate with moderate moisture and a slightly acidic reaction.
In order for the seedlings to take root and produce a good harvest, it is important to thoroughly prepare the site before planting:
- The selected area should be well lit, but protected from drafts;
- Place suitable neighbors near the plots - lettuce, tomatoes, beans, white cabbage;
- In the fall, dig up the area, fertilizing the soil with humus;
- Prepare furrows 30 cm deep with a distance of 40 cm between them.
Planted plants also need care, on which the quality of the harvest depends.
The main points to pay attention to include:
- Before direct planting, mineral fertilizers must be scattered in the trenches;
- A month after planting, treat the soil with urea in a ratio of 1 tablespoon of urea per 1 square meter. m;
- It is important to prevent the soil from drying out by systematically watering the seedlings;
- After watering, it is important not to forget about loosening;
- When the height of the petioles reaches 30 cm, they need to be carefully tied into bunches and wrapped in thick dark paper. This is necessary for whitening.
If you follow simple rules, you can get an environmentally friendly and healthy product. All it takes is a little time and effort.
Let's watch a useful video about growing stem celery:
Harvesting celery root
The entire plant should be removed before mid-autumn, before the first ground frosts occur - in this case, it is shaken well, cleared of any remaining soil, and dried for 1-2 days in the open air.
Subsequently, when planting it, the roots are cut off, leaving 3-4 cm from the main root crop, and the petioles are cut off, leaving a bunch 2-3 cm high, so as not to damage the apical bud.
It is worth carrying out such harvesting procedures in warm, windy and dry weather - spread the root crops on a film and let them dry and ventilate naturally under the sun, in the air.
Storing celery until spring is possible not only fresh, in a cool and dark cellar or basement - here it is simply placed in a wooden container and sprinkled with dry sand or peat.
If the size of the refrigerator allows, store the root vegetable in the appropriate section for vegetables, airing it in the bag from time to time, and remove all spoiled fruits by sorting them out. But this is a separate topic for consideration.
How to wrap stalked celery. Time to harvest
A gardener's dream is large, juicy, bleached celery stalks, sweet, with a spicy aroma, without bitterness.
For it to be realized, it is necessary to observe not only the technology of planting and caring for the crop, but also the timing of harvesting petiole celery. This vegetable crop, in contrast to the root variety, is more delicate, sensitive to temperatures below 0⁰ C. First of all, this applies to self-bleaching varieties that are grown without burying the stems in the soil or mulching material. They are cut no later than September, before the first frost. If the plant was grown in a trench method or it is possible to use covering material, the time for harvesting petiole celery can be delayed by 3–4 weeks.
Advice! Experienced gardeners recommend subjecting the rosette of stems to a special procedure - bleaching - 2-3 weeks before harvesting. The petioles are collected in a bunch and the lower part is wrapped in burlap, paper, or other opaque but breathable material. This way they will be more tender and without bitterness.
One more tip. You cannot keep the plant in the garden longer than recommended by agricultural practices; as a rule, this is from 11 to 16 weeks. Otherwise, the petioles become rough, fibrous, and taste worse.
Petiole celery is completely dug out of the ground; during harvesting, only the roots are cut off and then sent for storage. For plants intended for longer storage or growing, the roots are left and then buried in damp sand in a cellar or greenhouse.
Note! Celery varieties can have different petiole colors. Green stems are recommended to be bleached, yellow stems are more delicate, self-bleaching, pink (red) varieties are the most resistant to frost. They can be removed later.
How to store celery
When you grow this useful plant on your own plot, it is worth knowing how to properly preserve it until spring.
Its rhizome and herbs give ready-made dishes their piquant taste, while the whole plant is used as an excellent additive and spice in the marinade when preserving tomatoes.
If you plan to use celery for food in the very near future, a simple and fairly effective way to preserve it is to wrap it in cling film or place it in a paper bag and store it in that form in the refrigerator container for vegetables.
In this form, the taste and pleasant, spicy aroma and greens will be stored for no more than a week.
Storage tips:
At the very beginning, it is worth paying attention to greens - they wither and deteriorate most quickly, and therefore, immediately after buying fresh celery at the market or digging it up in your own garden plot, it is washed and allowed to dry.
Next, it will be enough to wrap it in foil and store it in this form in the refrigerator - in this form the freshness and aroma, the taste of the cuttings and leaves can be preserved for a week.
If you store greens in polyethylene, they will wither already on the 3rd day and at the same time acquire a very unpleasant musty smell.
As an option for winter supplies, celery and its greens can be stored by preparing a seasoning from it - just chop it finely and spread it on a clean sheet of paper, cover it with another sheet on top and dry it in this form for at least 3-4 weeks, shaking it occasionally.
After the greens have dried, they are simply placed in a paper bag and used throughout the year as a seasoning.
If during storage you want to keep your greens fragrant and green, you can resort to a simple but effective method:
In particular, in this case we are talking about freezing celery greens in ice molds - in this version of the preparation it is worth sorting it out, rinsing it thoroughly under running water and, removing the yellowed branches, grinding them.
Afterwards, you should put everything in molds, fill it with water and put it in the freezer - it’s convenient and practical when you can take the required amount of greens to prepare a tog or other dish without defrosting the entire prepared mass.
To use celery for main courses, celery greens can be stored in the freezer, bagged, pre-washed and dried in a vacuum-sealed plastic container.
Greens can also be perfectly pickled - for this, take 100 grams per half a kilo of fresh plant. salt. Fresh herbs are poured into the jar, sprinkled with salt, sealed with a lid, and allowed to brew in this form for at least 2 weeks.
Salt in this case acts as a natural preservative and prevents the greens from rotting or becoming moldy, and in this form it can be used in cooking.
How to feed petiole celery. How to grow petiole celery
According to adherents of a healthy lifestyle, celery is one of those plants that must be on the menu. It contains a lot of vitamins necessary for the functioning of the body. And gourmets note its special taste, which adds a spicy note to dishes. How to grow petiole celery from seeds?
Celery: types
Different species are grown in garden beds:
- The leafy one is needed for salads.
- The root is used as a vegetable, used for preparing salads and hot dishes.
- Petiole is good because both the stem and leaves are used for cooking.
Petiole celery: beneficial properties for the body
This greenery contains many vitamins: A, group B, K, C, PP. There are minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus. Lots of folic acid and fiber. It is also low in calories.
Dishes with celery are recommended for:
- Maintaining the digestive system;
- Getting rid of fats;
- Cancer prevention;
- Improving immunity;
- Removing harmful substances from the body;
- Normalization of the nervous system;
- Regulation of metabolism.
Despite the usefulness
Celery is not recommended for consumption by people with stomach problems or diseases of the genitourinary system. In addition, those who are intolerant to it are prohibited from eating.
Requirements for growing conditions for petiole celery
Petiole celery is a capricious plant that prefers a special climate. For colder areas, it is recommended to start seedlings first. In areas with a mild, warm climate, you can sow seeds in open ground without fear that the plant will not sprout.
What climate does he like?
The fertile time is late spring and early summer. There is no excessive heat here, and this crop is not afraid of slight frosts. The optimal temperature is +20-25 degrees.
What kind of soil is needed for growing
The land needs to be rich in nutrients, fertile, and manured. Therefore, when preparing a bed for celery, gardeners add manure to the soil in the fall. If the bed is prepared in the spring, then humus is used.
How to grow petiole celery: through seedlings or sowing in open ground
At favorable temperatures, the crop is planted in open ground in mid-April. If the spring is long, with frosts, then it is better to postpone the planting time to May.
In the Urals
Growing seedlings in this region is better developed. Summer is short and can bring unpleasant weather surprises, so why take the risk by sowing seeds in open ground. It's better to prepare the seedlings. Seeds for seedlings are sown in February-March, seedlings are taken out to the beds in May-June.
In Tatarstan
It is more profitable to grow seedlings; sowing begins in March. In May-June, the seedlings are transferred to the beds.
In outskirts of Moscow
It is preferable to grow celery without going through the seedling stage. This crop is sown for seeds in late February, in March. Sprouts are planted in open ground in May.
In the Leningrad region
To grow seedlings, seeds need to be sown in early March. Planted in open ground in June.
In Siberia
Sow at the end of February to get good seedlings by spring. For beds (after transplanting), covering material is used to protect the plant from wind and frost.
In Belarus
The crops are sown in February and sent to the beds in the last month of spring.
In the middle lane
They begin to sow in February, this is the most favorable time for the seedlings to become well established before planting in open ground.
How to grow celery seedlings
In order for seedlings to grow healthy, you need to take care of preparing seed material, special soil, timely watering and fertilizing, and creating the necessary temperature and light conditions.
Sowing
You need to sow in March. To do this, use boxes into which soil is poured. But the container must first be disinfected to prevent possible damage to the plant by harmful bacteria. Peat is introduced into the soil so that the soil is fertile for seeds and moistened. When the soil is laid out in boxes, it is leveled, and the seeds are sown directly on it, without pre-made furrows. Afterwards, you need to put a board on top of the seeds, which will press the seed material to the soil.
You need to remove the board, sprinkle the seeds with soil, and then put the board back and press down. Then the board is removed and the planted seeds are watered. To ensure that the moisture is evenly distributed, it is recommended to use a spray bottle. The boxes are then covered with polyethylene and put away in a warm place where the air temperature is not lower than 20 degrees Celsius. The film will create a greenhouse effect; the seeds will be comfortable in such an atmosphere. However, from time to time the film must be lifted so that the seeds do not suffocate. At the same time, check the soil; if it becomes dry, it needs to be watered.
It will take about two and a half weeks for the shoots to appear. When timid sprouts appear on the surface, the film must be removed and the container with seedlings placed in the light, but the temperature should be within 17-18 degrees Celsius.
What are the benefits of petiole celery, beneficial properties
A large number of useful elements that make up the plant have a beneficial effect on the human body.
The benefits of celery are:
- Restoring water-salt balance, promoting the outflow of excess fluid from the body;
- General cleansing of the body due to anti-aging and antioxidant properties;
- Increasing the defense capacity of the immune system;
- Maintaining general tone of the body, improving mood, reducing nervousness and tension;
- Preventing the deposition of fat cells;
- Preventing the deposition of kidney stones;
- Inhibition of the development of malignant neoplasms;
- Improving the functioning of the digestive system, cleansing toxins and stabilizing the functioning of the intestines.
The plant is considered an aphrodisiac and is low in calories. Thus, celery is a real storehouse of nutrients for those who want to lose weight.
Vegetable storage rooms
Naturally, it is better to store celery in a cellar, basement, or storage room. It is worth remembering that for long-term storage an ambient humidity of 90% and a temperature of about zero are required.
Long term storage tips:
- Boxes with celery filled with sand are covered with plastic wrap, periodically removed for ventilation.
- At the dacha, they dig a hole and put root vegetables in it. Covered with sand. This way you can store celery only in a region with warm winters.
- Celery placed in boxes is coated with clay mash and placed on shelves.
But not everyone has the opportunity to place celery in a separate room. In an apartment, the culture is stored in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. The main disadvantage is that it is not possible to accommodate the entire crop.
Types of celery
Since cleaning greatly depends on which part will be used, you need to know the variety and grade. Because a lot depends on it.
- Leafy . Lush leaves are green, juicy, full of essential oils. When purchasing or cutting, it is important to look at how elastic, spicy, and aromatic the greens are. If there are yellow, limp leaves, it is better not to use the plant.
- Stem . The main thing about this variety is its thick petioles. They make excellent stews, salads, and juices. Pickled or salted stems taste great. The petioles should be smooth, clean, without spots, and brown in color.
- Root . A round root vegetable, developed, with a diameter of up to 20 cm. Its taste is usually bittersweet. You can cook it, you can eat it fresh. Choose a smooth one to make cleaning easier.
Important : the smell should always be bright and pronounced. If an umbrella with seeds has already appeared, then the vegetable is overripe. You can eat it, but the taste will not be so pleasant, the sharpness will go away, but more bitterness will increase.
Types of celery
Methods for storing celery root vegetables
Celery root vegetables can be stored fresh for a long time. When harvesting, it is recommended to cut the leaves so that small petioles remain. If you buy celery in a store, you should choose a root with a smooth, knot-free, smooth skin. By knocking on the root crop, you can determine what it is like from the inside - a ringing sound indicates the presence of emptiness and the absence of pulp. For short-term storage, it is enough to wrap the root vegetable in cling film and place it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Cling film will help preserve the delicate piquant aroma and beneficial properties of the crop. This method is suitable for storing fresh celery for 7-10 days.
Long-term storage of celery:
- Fill the container with slightly moistened sand, insert the collected root vegetables so that the petioles are on the surface and place in the cellar.
- Place the harvest in wooden boxes or thick plastic bags, sprinkle with sand and place in storage. It is worth noting that in this way celery is stored at a temperature of no more than 1 degree Celsius and a humidity of 90%.
- Prepare a clay mash of creamy consistency, soak the root vegetables, dry them and carefully place them on a shelf in storage.
- Place the harvest in a pile, sprinkle with sand sprinkled with honey water. Honey will help eliminate possible fungal diseases.
Root celery can be stored in dried form: thin strips are dried, placed in a glass container and tightly closed. Many summer residents store root vegetables frozen: peel the root vegetable, grate it on a coarse grater, portion it out into bags and place it in the freezer.
