How to Grow Celeriac

Celeriac
Celeriac is related to the more common celery but is only now being widely grown outside of Germany.

The flesh has a texture similar to that of potatoes with a definite taste of celery. It's an easy to grow vegetable with a long cropping time. Give it a try.

CELERIAC QUICK GUIDE

Latin Name
Apium graveolens rapaceum

Type
Cultivated as an annual, it is a hardy biennial

Site and Soil
Full sun or part shade in a soil manured the previous year.

Plant to Harvest Time
24 weeks.

Yield
3 plants per metre (3 foot)

Soil and Site
Celeriac has been bred from wild celery which originates from Northern Europe. They grow best in a soil which has been fertilised the previous season and not the current season. Too much nitrogen in the soil from manure etc. will encourage leaf growth rather then growth of the bulbous root.

The best soil is one which retains moisture but is also free-draining. Although those are the ideal conditions celeriac is very tolerant of soil conditions and will grow well on most sites.

They prefer a site which is in full sun but will tolerate part-shade very well.

Recommended Variety

The variety "Monarch" has been awarded a RHS Award of Garden Merit.
The skin is smooth and the flesh is mottled white. This is a vigorous growing celeriac with firm, large roots.

This variety is available from Suttons, click here for more information.

Sowing Celeriac

Celeriac takes longer than most vegetables to reach maturity and it also requires a soil temperature of at least 59�F if the seeds are to germinate. If you live in a warm climate which has the correct soil temperature then the seed can be sown directly into the soil in early March and they will grow well. Sow thinly at a depth of about �cm / �in. As the seedlings emerge, gradually thin the seedlings to about 30cm (1ft) apart in rows which are 35cm (14in) apart.

In cooler areas, sow indoors or in a greenhouse / cold frame. Sow two seeds to a small pot (7.5cm / 3in) in early March. When the seedlings emerge, thin out the weakest growing one. The plants can be transplanted to their final positions in mid-May when the danger of frost is minimal. Acclimatise the plants to the outside conditions for a week or two before planting outside.

NEXT PAGE, CARE FOR CELERIAC