Celery Planting Time and Methods: When Is the Best Time to Plant?

SummaryCelery planting time: it can be planted all year round. Sowing and raising seedlings: the seed rate for each mu of field is about 500 grams; in dry weather, water once in the morning and once in the evening every day, and apply a light liquid manure dressing every 5-7 days. Land preparation and fertilization: for each mu of land, an appropriate amount of urea, phosphate fertilizer, human and livestock manure, etc. can be spread. Transplanting: transplant when the seedlings grow to 12-15 cm. Field management: after transplanting and establishment, apply liquid manure frequently. Pest and disease control: use zineb, carbendazim, decamethrin, etc. for control.

I. Celery Planting Time

1. Planting time for spring celery

(1) In northern regions, the open-field sowing period is January-March, the transplanting period is March-April, and the harvest period is May-July, while in the Yangtze River Basin region the open-field sowing period is March.

(2) If sown too early, the seedlings, after being exposed to a certain degree of low temperature, easily pass through the vernalization stage and then bolt prematurely; if sown too late, they enter the hot summer in the later stage, which affects quality and yield.

2. Planting time for summer celery

After the last frost in spring, raise seedlings in the open field, then transplant in June-early July, and harvest and market in August-September. Summer celery, in the hot and rainy season, grows relatively poorly, has many dead seedlings, and low yield, so it is not suitable for large-scale planting.

3. Planting time for autumn celery

(1) In northern regions, the open-field sowing period is June-early July, the transplanting period is August-early September, and the harvest period is October-November.

(2) In the Yangtze River Basin region, the sowing period is early July to early September, and the harvest period is October-December; for late sowing, harvesting ends before bolting in March-April of the following year.

4. Planting time for winter celery

In the Yangtze River Basin and the south, the open-field sowing period is September-November, and the harvest period is December to April of the following year, while in the north it can be planted under plastic arch sheds.

II. Sowing and Raising Seedlings

1. Sowing rate

(1) Each mu of field requires about 500 grams of seed; each mu of seedbed can sow 2 kg of celery seed; when sowing, mix the germinated seeds with old bran ash or dry fine soil, then broadcast evenly; after sowing, pat the bed surface lightly, then sprinkle water with a watering can.

(2) In winter, plastic arch sheds need to be covered, while in summer, shade nets need to be covered to cool down and protect against rain.

2. Seedbed management

In dry weather, water once in the morning and once in the evening every day; start topdressing after the seedlings emerge evenly; during this period, apply a light liquid manure dressing every 5-7 days, and pay attention to controlling aphids, etc.

III. Land Preparation and Fertilization

1. You can choose to plant in sandy soil rich in organic matter and with strong water and fertilizer retention; for each mu of land, 150 kg of quicklime can be spread.

2. Then plow the soil deeply and sun-bleach it, and make beds about 1.67 m wide; for each mu of land, apply 20 kg of urea, 40-50 kg of phosphate fertilizer, 10-15 kg of potassium fertilizer, 100 kg of rapeseed cake, and 200 kg of human and livestock manure, then shallowly turn them into the soil, level and refine the surface, and wait 4-5 days before transplanting.

IV. Transplanting

When the seedling age is 50-60 days and the seedlings grow to 12-15 cm, they can be transplanted. Before transplanting, spray once with decamethrin, etc.; 3-4 hours before pulling the seedlings, water the soil to moisten it, then transplant at a row spacing of 16-26 cm and a clump spacing of about 1 cm, with 4-5 plants per clump, watering while transplanting.

V. Field Management

1. After the seedlings are transplanted, water once in the morning and once in the evening every day, and pay attention to checking the seedlings; after transplanting and establishment, apply liquid manure frequently and keep the soil moist.

2. Before the rows close, shallow intertillage is needed 2-3 times; generally in hot and dry seasons, in the early growth stage, shade nets need to be covered on large sheds or small arch sheds, or grass materials need to be covered for shading.

3. Especially in dry weather, you can lead water into furrows for irrigation in the morning and evening when the water temperature is relatively low; during this period, water must not fill above the bed surface; after the bed surface is moistened, drain the water in time to ensure the normal growth of celery.

VI. Pest and Disease Control

The common diseases of celery mainly include late blight and leaf spot; during this period, zineb, carbendazim, or chlorothalonil, etc. can be used for control, while the common pest is aphids; during this period, decamethrin or dimethoate can be used for control.