Tall Utah 52-70R Improved Celery

Tall Utah 52-70R Improved is a popular variety of celery for its tall, thick-stemmed shape, vibrant color, and production reliability. Celery originated as a marsh plant in the Mediterranean and prefers cooler climates and moist, nutritious soil. Celery is also a cut-and-come again crop, simply harvest the outer stalks and the plant will reproduce again with a lifespan of 2 years. Its fibrous stalks can be juiced or used in salads, soups, stews, and as a snack with dips for many essential digestive and cardiovascular health benefits. Its mild flavor and crunch make it a versatile ingredient in Western cooking. Utah Tall celery also contains high amounts of vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids.

Also Known As: Improved Tall Utah Celery, Tall Utah 52-70R Celery, Utah Green Celery, Heirloom Celery, Stalk Celery, Herb Celery, Ajwain, Pascal Celery, Cutting Celery, Apium Graveolens, Garden Celery, Stalk Celery, Wild Celery.

Plant Name:	Celery, Tall Utah 52-70R Improved
Latin Name:	Apium graveolens
Days to Germinate:	14-21
Days to Harvest:	105
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	6 - 12 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Biennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Celery can also be planted in a grid formation to better shade celery plants and promote blanching.

Planting:

Celery grows best in cool temperatures, with an ideal growing range between 55-75F. Temperature above 80F can cause celery to bolt.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 50F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 50F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 10-12 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a light dressing of fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest Celery stalks as needed by removing outer stalks when they are 12" or more in length, or harvest whole plants when 3" or more in diameter, about 85-120 days after planting. To harvest, cut the entire plant at the base just above the soil line, or you can cut individual stalks as needed, starting from the outermost ones. For the best flavor, it's recommended to harvest before the plant starts flowering, as this can cause the stalks to become bitter and tough. If you're growing celery as a perennial, you can also harvest in stages over time, allowing the inner stalks to continue developing.