[AlaninCarlisle]

What on earth is meant by self-blanching? I've grown some as I was sick of trying to beat the slugs and other creepies by earthing up. The celery itself looks healthy enough but self-blanching it aint. It's dark green and fit only for cooking and even then takes about 30 minutes boiling to make it tender

[arugula]

Here is some information:

http://medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/articles/87/traditional_trench_celery_versus_self_blanching_celery

[sunshineband]

I grow mine in blocks, as suugested in the link, but also tie each plant up in a column with soft brown string --- did them today in fact - as otherwise the stalks all splay out and don't get all that long


That and plenty of water and feed with chicken pellets -- werks fer me 

[Salmo]

They will improve as the weeks go on and come into their own in September. I find that there are always a lot of outside leaves to discard to get to the nice tender stuff in the middle.

[AlaninCarlisle]

Thanks to all for that advice. Mine is growing in the polytunnel, in blocks as instructed on the seed packet. It's maybe too late to tie up with string as Sunshine suggested as they are full sized now but I'll try it and report back.

By the way, if anyone is bemused by my use of the tunnel for a hardy crop like celery, it's an attempt to grow at least something green that isn't slug-infested