Leaf celery tastes like parsley, but has a stronger aroma. Therefore, it is better suited as a seasoning in various hot dishes, although this salad is also in demand in a salad.
In suburban areas, leafy celery readily grows. Growing this green is very profitable: from one bag of seeds you get a very rich harvest. Especially if you follow some rules of agricultural technology.
Celery, planted in early spring, loves fertile soil rich in humus. Due to the high content of essential oils in the seeds of the plant, the latter do not germinate well, and therefore need to be pre-soaked.
You can plant celery immediately in the ground, but then do not expect a good harvest. In the first year, the plant develops rather slowly. Leaf celery, the cultivation of which is carried out by the seedling method, grows much faster, so you can harvest in the same year. In addition, the plants take root better and grow stronger and more powerful bushes.
For seedling cultivation, celery seeds are planted at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other in specially prepared boxes or in separate peat pots. Shoots will appear no earlier than in a week.
Young shoots need a lot of light, otherwise they will quickly stretch out and be lethargic. To better develop the root system, pinch the celery root . This is done when the plant already has several leaves.
Before planting in the soil, the seedlings need to be hardened: for this, air it for another week, gradually increasing the time spent in the fresh air. At night, you need to bring plants into the room.
Usually planted according to a 20x20 scheme, so that the bushes do not interfere with each other's development, because greenery, as a rule, does not like the close proximity too much. So is celery leaf. Growing at a great distance allows you to get more powerful plants with a well-developed root system. In addition, it is important to remember that the plant does not like deep planting and is demanding on fertilizers.
A lot of useful properties contains leaf celery. Growing this greenery in a garden will allow you to stock up on this plant for the future. After all, it can be dried for the winter, added as seasoning to meat and fish dishes. In this form, it can be for several years, retaining useful properties, although it is better, of course, to use a fresh crop.
It’s a shame not to mention the benefits of celery . After all, it is not for nothing that the whole plant is used for food. Seeds are rich in essential oils, so tea is brewed from them, which has a diuretic effect and is especially useful for diabetes. Greens stimulates appetite, is rich in vitamins of group B, as well as A and C, is useful in the presence of stomach problems, improves digestion and helps to reduce weight. Celery juice cleanses the blood and helps get rid of many skin diseases.
Celery leaf, the cultivation of which requires special patience, with the correct implementation of the above tips for next year, will fully respond to your care with a wonderful harvest. And also reward magnificent fresh herbs.