How to grow Celeriac

Apium graveolens rapaceum

The ancestor of both celery and celeriac grew in marshy areas, and the closer soil is to a rich and moist environment, the happier celeriac will be. A generous amount of compost or rotted manure worked deeply into the soil before planting helps retain moisture and add nutrients. When the plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, mulch to conserve the soil moisture .

During the growing season, monitor the soil regularly to make sure it’s moist, and check for any lateral leaf shoots. Snap these off to get a smooth crown. In late summer, remove some of the outer leaves to make the root grow larger and smoother, then cover it with soil or mulch to keep it blanched and tender.

Growing Celeriac from seed

Celeriac seed germinates best at 70˚F (21 C). Barely cover and keep moist. Can take up to a month, so be patient.

Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Celeriac

Harden off when days and nights are above 45˚F (7 C). If seedlings experience 10 consecutive days or more of cold temperatures, they receive the message that they have gone through a summer (during germination) and are now in a winter. When the temperature heats up, the celeriac plants think they are in their second year of growth and will put their energy into flowering instead of into developing a good root.

After hardening off for at least a week, transplant seedlings to the garden, giving each plant a dose of liquid fish emulsion. Since celeriac likes a rich diet, repeat this dose every two weeks throughout the summer. Protect from any lingering frosts.

Harvesting Celeriac

Celeriac can be harvested and eaten before it attains its maximum size, but the flavor is improved by a touch of frost, which converts some of its starch to sugar.

When first dug, celeriac has a rude, primitive appearance. Shake off as much dirt as possible, roughly whack off the rootlets with a field knife, and remove all but 1 inch of foliage. After cleaning the root further with a stiff jet of water from the hose, allow the excess water to dry, then put the celeriac in a perforated, food-grade plastic bag. The ideal storage temperature for celeriac is between 35˚ and 40˚F, with high humidity, so a refrigerator crisper also works well for long-term storage. Under these conditions, this vegetable will remain in good condition until late spring.

How long does Celeriac take to grow?

These estimates for how long Celeriac takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Celeriac to germinate?
13 days

Average 13 days | Min 8 days | Max 46 days (11)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Celeriac?
+ 39 days

Average 39 days | Min 27 days | Max 65 days (4)

Days to Maturity How long until Celeriac is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 100 days

Average 100 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Celeriac?
= 152 days

Other names for Celeriac

Monarch, Celery root, Turnip-rooted celery, Knob celery

Footnotes


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