{"title":"Vegetable Celery","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"216\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"105\"\u003eGenus: Apium\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"216\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"108\" data-end=\"119\"\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apiaceae\u003cbr data-start=\"128\" data-end=\"131\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"148\"\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celery\u003cbr data-start=\"155\" data-end=\"158\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"158\" data-end=\"175\"\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"558\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"234\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"237\"\u003eApium is a small genus of aromatic, moisture-loving plants, with \u003cem data-start=\"302\" data-end=\"320\"\u003eApium graveolens\u003c\/em\u003e being the most commonly cultivated species—better known simply as celery. Grown for its crisp, fibrous stalks and fragrant leaves, celery is both a culinary staple and a rewarding garden vegetable when provided with the right conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"990\"\u003eCelery plants form a basal rosette of pinnate leaves with toothed leaflets, followed by thick, succulent stalks that grow upright and form a tight cluster. In its second year (if left unharvested), celery will flower, producing umbels of tiny white blooms typical of the carrot family. Garden-grown celery has a stronger flavour than grocery-store varieties and benefits from blanching to reduce bitterness and improve tenderness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003eIn addition to the familiar stalk celery, other types such as celeriac (grown for its swollen root) and leaf celery (grown for foliage) are also part of the genus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1172\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1172\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1648\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1245\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1245\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1186\"\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun; tolerates light shade but yields may be lower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1352\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1352\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1257\"\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter; thrives in consistently moist conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1434\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1434\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1365\"\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e High; requires regular, even watering for best growth and flavour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1522\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1437\" data-end=\"1522\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1437\" data-end=\"1451\"\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Biennial in Zones 4–10; grown as an annual in most Canadian gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1523\" data-end=\"1648\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1648\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1541\"\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; mulch to retain moisture, fertilize regularly, and consider blanching stalks for milder taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1650\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1650\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003eInteresting Tidbits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1676\" data-end=\"2096\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1676\" data-end=\"1777\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1678\" data-end=\"1777\"\u003eCelery is a heavy feeder—success in the garden often comes down to rich soil and steady moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1778\" data-end=\"1862\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1862\"\u003eAncient Greeks and Romans used celery more as a medicinal herb than a food crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1865\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003eThe strong, salty flavour of celery leaves and seeds is often used in stocks, soups, and pickling spice blends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"2096\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2096\"\u003eBlanching (covering the stalks to exclude light) improves tenderness and reduces bitterness in homegrown varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.scottsnurseryonline.com\/collections\/celery.oembed","provider":"Scott's Nursery Ltd. ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}