Comparison of With Other Varieties
Celery is a popular vegetable with a wide range of varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. One such variety is the Tall Utah celery, which has its own noteworthy attributes distinguishing it from other celery varieties.
Tall Utah is recognized for its exceptional height, as the name suggests. It grows taller than other celery varieties, reaching heights of up to 2 feet. This is significantly taller than other common celery types, which typically grow to about 1 foot. The increased height of Tall Utah celery is advantageous for several reasons.
Firstly, the taller stalks of Tall Utah celery provide more edible portions compared to other varieties. This means that when harvesting, you can obtain a larger yield of celery stalks from each plant. The increased productivity makes it a popular choice among gardeners who want to maximize their harvest.
Additionally, the taller stalks of Tall Utah celery make it easier to blanch the crop. Blanching is a technique used with celery to reduce its bitterness and enhance the tenderness of the stalks. By covering the stalks with soil or wrapping them in newspaper, the sunlight exposure is limited, resulting in blanched, milder-tasting celery. The extra height of Tall Utah celery allows for more soil or newspaper coverage during the blanching process, ensuring a higher success rate.
Another advantage of Tall Utah celery is its resistance to common celery diseases, such as blackheart and early blight. This variety has been specifically bred for disease resistance, providing a greater chance of success in cultivating healthy plants. Disease-resistant varieties like Tall Utah are crucial for gardeners who want to safeguard their crops and minimize the risk of losing their harvest to common ailments.
The Tall Utah variety has a rich history, originally being developed in the United States. It was bred by the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Utah during the mid-20th century. The goal was to create a celery variety that could thrive in the region's specific climate and growing conditions. The result was Tall Utah celery, which quickly gained popularity due to its unique characteristics and adaptability.
As for obtaining the Tall Utah variety for your own garden, there are various ways to acquire seeds or seedlings. Many gardening supply stores, both physical and online, offer packets of Tall Utah celery seeds. Additionally, you may find local nurseries or garden centers that sell Tall Utah celery as seedlings, ready for transplanting into your garden.
In conclusion, Tall Utah celery is a distinct variety known for its exceptional height, increased productivity, ease of blanching, and disease resistance. Developed in the mid-20th century, it remains a popular choice among gardeners looking for a reliable and productive celery variety. Whether you choose to start from seeds or purchase seedlings, incorporating Tall Utah celery into your garden can enhance your vegetable harvest and provide you with delicious, homegrown celery.