How to Grow Collard Greens Plants with Celery Seeds: A Complete Guide

Discover the Ultimate Guide to Growing Collard Greens with Celery Seeds!
Learn how to cultivate thriving collard greens and celery plants in your garden with this comprehensive, step-by-step guide. From sowing seeds to harvesting crisp, flavorful produce, we cover everything you need to know about soil preparation, planting techniques, earthing up, pest control, and more.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, our expert tips will help you maximize yield and enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables all season long. Explore recommended varieties, essential tools, and FAQs to ensure success in your gardening journey. Start growing today and elevate your backyard harvest with these easy-to-follow instructions!

When to Plant Collard Greens Plants with Celery Seeds:

• Early Varieties: Sow celery seeds thinly in pots or boxes under heat in March.
• Main Crop: Sow seeds in a cold house in mid-April.

Growing:

• Sowing and Transplanting:
• Once the seedlings are large enough to handle (about 5cm or 2in), transplant them into deep seed boxes, spacing them at 5cm (2in) intervals.
• Harden off the plants before planting them out from mid-May to the end of June.
• Trench Preparation:
• Prepare trenches by removing soil to a depth of 20-30cm (8-12in), placing the soil equally on either side of the trench.
• Pat the sides of the bank with the back of a spade to keep them upright, forming neat ridges suitable for growing lettuce, spinach, or radishes.
• Add a good depth of manure to the trench and mix it into the bottom soil. Firm the soil well by treading, and allow the trench to settle before planting.
• Planting:
• For single rows, plant 25-30cm (10-12in) apart; for double rows, plant 30cm (12in) apart, staggering the plants.
• After planting, flood the trench and repeat the process during dry weather.
• Occasionally feed the plants with weak manure water or dried blood, and apply two dressings of superphosphate at 28g (1oz) per 2m (6ft) run by mid-August.
• Earthing Up:
• Begin earthing up when the plants are fully grown in August or September. Remove any side shoots and low-growing leaves that would otherwise be covered.
• Tie the stems with raffia and mound soil from the side bank around the plants up to the base of the leaves.
• Scatter slug bait around the plants before earthing up to protect them from slugs, especially if using paper collars, black plastic, or drainpipes.
• Pat the sides of the ridge to direct rainwater downwards rather than into the celery hearts.
• Take precautionary measures against celery fly damage from May to September.
• Harvesting:
• Digging can begin six to eight weeks after earthing up.

You Will Need:

• Celery seeds
• Pots or boxes for sowing
• Deep seed boxes for transplanting
• Spade for trench preparation
• Manure or compost
• Raffia for tying stems
• Slug bait
• Optional: Paper collars, black plastic, or drainpipes for blanching

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I grow collard greens using celery seeds?
A: While this guide is focused on growing celery, you can interplant collard greens alongside celery in your garden. Just ensure both plants have enough space and nutrients to thrive.

What are some recommended varieties of celery?

• ‘Clayworth Prize Pink’: Produces a crisp, flavorful head.
• ‘Sandringham White’ and ‘Wright’s Giant White’: Excellent white varieties.
• ‘Golden Self Blanching’ and ‘Tall Utah’: White varieties that do not require earthing up.

How often should I water my celery plants?
A: Keep the soil consistently moist. Flood the trench immediately after planting and repeat the process during dry weather.

Why is earthing up important for celery?
A: Earthing up helps blanch the celery stems, making them tender and less bitter. It also provides protection from pests and adverse weather conditions.

How can I prevent slug damage?
A: Apply slug bait around the plants before earthing up. Additionally, protective measures like paper collars, black plastic, or drainpipes can help ensure well-blanched, healthy stems.l protective measures like paper collars, black plastic, or drainpipes can also help ensure long, well-blanched stems.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow healthy and productive celery plants alongside your collard greens.