About Celery
Celery, (Apium graveolens), herbaceous plant of the parsley family (Apiaceae). Celery is often cooked as a vegetable or as a flavoring in various broths, casseroles, and soups. In the United States, celery is served raw alone or spread or added as a snack to salads. Small fruits, known as celery seeds, are similar to the plant itself in taste and aroma, and are used as cooking, especially in soups and pickles.
Native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, celery was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as an ancient Chinese medicine. The old type looks like baby celery or wild celery. Celery has large, fleshy, tasty, upright stems or petioles, at the end of the 18th century. The fiber that characterizes most celery was removed in some forms.
Where Celery Can Grow: Growing Conditions
In general, celery can grow in any area as long as the soil is rich.
Celery prefers well-drained or composted soil. Since wild celery grows in hot soil, you will want to give this vegetable dry and consistent water, and a sunny place should promote health, even growth.
Celery is not hardy enough, so choose a variety that suits your area and get started. Full sun is good for growth, but partial shade is also acceptable.
Once a month, give your plants a cup of tea, fish emulsion or liquid fertilizer to increase their height. However, there are several things you should consider:
Soil should have good water holding capacity and should also allow good drainage.
Direct sunlight; Temperatures don’t have to be high as celery thrives in cool weather. Although this plant does well in full sun, it despises heat.
It needs a lot of water. A lot of water is important for the success of celery during the growing season.
Indoor temperatures between 70°F and 75°F during the day and about 60°F and 65°F at night during seeding just before transplanting. Temperatures should be around 50ºF during the day and 40ºF at night after transplanting.
Soil pH should be between 5-8 and 6.8.
Choose a spot in your garden that gets direct sunlight and plant celery there. Before sowing the seeds outdoors in late May or early June, make sure the plants are ‘well sealed’ (accepting outdoor conditions).
When you grow potted celery in the summer, fertilize once every two weeks and fertilize in general with the appropriate amount of water. Crops benefit from the rapid application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers once they are formulated.
Planting method
Choose a planting area that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Celery needs nutritious soil. Till the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches with a pitchfork or tiller, then mix 2 to 4 inches of aged food and/or compost into the soil, or work in a 5-10-10 fertilizer.
Celery prefers soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Do a soil test if you don’t know the pH of your soil. It is important that celery grows in soil that retains water and does not drain easily. Wild celery grows in swampy soil, so you’ll want to provide consistent water for the thirsty vegetable, while a sunny spot should ensure good, even growth.
Health Benefits
Celery is a source of important antioxidants
Antioxidants protect cells, blood vessels and organs from oxidative damage. Celery contains vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids, but there are at least a dozen different types of antioxidant nutrients in just one stalk. It is also an excellent source of phytonutrients, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, cells, blood vessels and organs.
Celery is a source of important antioxidants.
Antioxidants protect cells, blood vessels and organs from oxidative damage. Celery contains vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids, but there are at least a dozen different types of antioxidant nutrients in just one stalk. It is also an excellent source of phytonutrients, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, cells, blood vessels and organs.
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Celery is known to have a positive effect on heart health. In a study conducted on rats fed celery seeds, relaxation of the muscles was observed. This relaxation of blood vessels is important in controlling high blood pressure.
Celery also exhibits some antiplatelet activity, preventing heart damage, and reducing some of the symptoms associated with heart disease. Many studies on the health effects of celery are limited, and more experiments and human intervention are needed to establish results. However, a recommended intake of a variety of vegetables for cardio protection is well established.
Helps with digestive health
Apigenin, the main flavonoid in celery, interacts with intestinal microorganisms. A healthy and diverse microbiota is essential for overall health. It has recently been discovered that intestinal microorganisms also help maintain a healthy immune system.
In vitro experiments have shown that apigenin promotes the growth of a variety of human intestinal bacteria. It also encourages the growth of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid linked to gut health.
Perhaps one of the most obvious health benefits of celery comes from its fiber content. With almost 1g of fiber in just one stalk, it is a source of dietary fiber. Studies have shown that a diet low in fiber increases the risk of many chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Dietary supplements also provide bulk to the stool, making it easier to pass through the digestive tract.
