Name: Golden Pascal Celery Seeds
SKU: 103232

An old heirloom from France, Golden Pascal is considered one of the best celeries for cool weather climates. First listed in the 1885 French seed catalog Vilmorin-Andrieux, it wasn’t carried by North American seed catalogs until the 1910s and it quickly became a favourite. Also known as ‘’Giant Pascal’’ or ‘’Winter King,’’ this time-tested celery is sought after for its cold resistance and excellent blanching capabilities. Golden Pascal celery ideal type for fall and early winter use, and direct sowing in the spring will result in an earlier harvest than with most other varieties.

The plants produce thick stalks that reach 18-24 inches tall with a bushy canopy and the stems and heart are tender, with a rich, nutty, incomparable flavour. Plants that are blanched a few weeks before harvest will react very well to the process, resulting in a celery that is noticeably sweeter and less bitter, with little to no strings. Golden Pascal is a robust grower that retains its colour and freshness for a long time, making it a fine keeper.

- Latin Name: Apium graveolens dulce

- Days to Maturity: 90-100

- Life Cycle: Biennal, usually grown as an annual

- Canada Hardiness Zone: 8-9

- Start Indoors or Cold Frame: 10-12 weeks before transplanting outdoors

- Planting Depth: Press without covering

( Celery seeds require light to germinate.)

- Days to Germination: 14-21

- Germination Optimal Soil Temperature: 21-25°C

- Seedlings Optminal Daytime Temperature: 16-21°C

- Days from transplanting to mature crop: 60-80

( Reduce the water for 7-10 days when hardening)

- Transplant Seedlings: 15-20 cm apart

- Direct Sowing: 2 weeks before final spring frost until 10-12 weeks before expected fall frost

- Seed Spacing: 15 seeds every 30 cm

- Thinning Seedlings: Progressively until 15-20 cm apart

- Row Spacing: 60-90 cm

- Plant Height: 30-60 cm

- Average Seeds Needed Per 10 m Row: 500

- Average Yield Per 10 m Row: 35 heads

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Dense hearts of tall green stalks will reward the home gardener who accepts the challenge of growing this long season, cool weather vegetable. To get a head start on the season, celery seeds should be started 10-12 weeks before the last spring frost.

Spread seeds in flats, about 2 cm apart. You can firm the seeds into place, but there is no need to cover with soil. Celery seeds will require light to germinate, usually taking about 2-3 weeks. Set under lights for 16 hours/day and keep seeds moist by misting and/or bottom watering. Try to keep the ambient temperature an ideal 21°C.

When seedlings develop their second true leaf, either thin them out or transplant individuals into deeper pots. Prepare for transplanting by hardening off the young plants. Reduce watering a bit and expose gradually to the sun and outdoor elements. Cold weather can cause celery to bolt, so wait until night time lows stay above 4°C. Seedlings can be transplanted into the bed about 20-25 cm apart, water well.

Celery will thrive in cooler temperatures, rich soil and under full sun. Because of its shallow roots, mulch, thorough waterings and top dressing with fertilizer are good practices to enrich overall plant health.

Stalks can be tied together to keep from spreading. Practice blanching by covering or wrapping stalks with brown bag paper or cardboard. Do not cover the leaves. Sheltering from the sun will help prevent the development of bitter tasting stalks.

Celery can take up to 100 days to harvest. The whole bunch can be cut at once, but individual stalks can be continually picked throughout the fall until the last frost. Harvest stalks from the outside in when stalks reach 8 cm tall and enjoy a long season of celery's refreshing ribs.

QUICK FACTS

- Celery has been cultivated for its seeds and leaves since antiquity as an aromatic and medicinal plant. The Italians domesticated celery as a vegetable in the 1500s, resulting in selections with solid stems.

- Celery seeds will remain viable for 3 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.