The Latest Detailed Guide to Overwintering Celery Cultivation and Management Techniques

Celery has strong cold tolerance; its seedlings can briefly withstand low temperatures of minus 10 degrees, so it is also one of the common vegetables in autumn and winter. However, when planted in winter, a prolonged low-temperature environment can also cause frost damage, leading to death and affecting economic returns. So how should celery be managed through the winter? Let's take a look together.

1. Seedling stage management

Celery likes cool conditions and has strong cold tolerance, but overwintering celery is sown during the high-temperature period of August-September. Once its seeds exceed 30 degrees, they stop germinating, so to ensure uniform emergence, a suitable environment must be provided. First, set up a frame with shade netting over the seedbed to avoid direct sunlight. Before sowing, water first to lower the soil temperature and increase humidity, and also keep the soil loose to prevent the seedlings from suffocating due to lack of oxygen. Four to five days after sowing, a layer of small seedlings will appear, but these are actually weeds and must be pulled out in time so they do not affect seedling growth. After about 7-10 days, the seedlings break through the soil. At this time, water promptly to keep the soil moist. Once the seedlings emerge, the shade netting can be removed, keeping the temperature at 10-20 degrees, while also avoiding strong light exposure. When the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, thin them in time, keeping the spacing at about 2 cm.

2. Transplanting management

When the seedlings grow to 5-6 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Before transplanting, prepare the land and apply fertilizer well. According to the soil fertility conditions, apply 4000-6000 of organic fertilizer and 100-150 of compound fertilizer per mu, plow them in and mix evenly with the soil, then make beds. When lifting the seedlings for transplanting, water thoroughly first, then lift the seedlings with soil, being careful not to damage the root system. Transplant by grade, plant at a reasonable density, and when transplanting, bury the soil to the same depth as the seedlings' original planting depth, leaving the heart leaves exposed. After transplanting, water promptly to help the seedlings recover.

3. Cold protection and heat preservation

The suitable growing temperature for celery is 15-20 degrees. When the temperature is higher, control it by increasing watering and ventilation, and the maximum temperature should not exceed 22 degrees. When the temperature drops, add film covering and reduce ventilation to maintain the temperature, and at this time the temperature should not be lower than 10 degrees. In addition, celery is a low-light plant, and the length of light exposure affects its growth, but in winter light is difficult to control and can easily cause it to bolt early, affecting yield and quality. Generally, controlling light at 6-9 hours per day is best.

4. Fertilizer and water management

Watering and topdressing celery require particular care and should be carried out according to seedling growth after transplanting. Before the heart leaves grow out, keep the soil alternately dry and wet. After the heart leaves grow out, control watering to promote root growth and development. When the heart leaves have already grown upright, strengthen the water supply, keeping the soil moist at all times. At this time, a nitrogen fertilizer can also be applied once, 12-15 kg per mu, which can be flushed on through watering so the fertilizer is more easily absorbed. When the heart leaves begin to swell, apply potassium fertilizer to speed up heart leaf swelling and improve yield and quality.

The above are overwintering celery cultivation and management techniques. We hope they can help you. If you want to learn more about celery cultivation, please follow us.