Celeriac is closely related to celery but the edible part is it’s swollen root. It has an unusual flavour, a cross between celery, fennel and aniseed. celeriac works well roasted and served with other root veg and squashes, in soups and stews. It also makes a great alternative to mashed potato.
Celeriac is easy to grow but it does require a long growing season. It grows well in heavy soils and does well in poor summers.
Celery root also known as celeriac is a nutritious and delicious vegetable that is perfect for fall and winter meals. Though it may look intimidating with its knobby, bumpy exterior, celery root is actually quite easy to grow at home. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and harvesting celery root in your garden.
Celery root, scientifically known as Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, is a root vegetable that is closely related to regular celery. It likely originated in the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated in Europe since the 1600s.
Unlike the celery we know and love, celery root is grown for its edible bulbous taproot rather than its leaf stalks. The root has a tender, creamy white interior with a subtly sweet, nutty flavor reminiscent of celery. When cooked, it develops a wonderfully velvety texture similar to potatoes or turnips.
Celery root packs in lots of beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. It’s low in calories and high in antioxidants. The roots also store remarkably well, lasting up to 6 months when properly cured and refrigerated.
When and Where to Plant Celery Root
Celery root is typically grown as an annual crop and requires a long growing season between 90-120 days. Since the plants don’t tolerate frost or cold temperatures very well, timing is important when planting them
Ideally, celery root seedlings should be started indoors 8-12 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. They germinate best at soil temperatures around 70°F.
Once your last frost date has safely passed and soil temperatures have warmed to 55°F and above, the celery root seedlings can be transplanted outdoors. Celery root thrives when daytime highs are between 60-70°F.
Celeriac grows best in full sun in northern climates, but appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter southern zones. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
The plants need nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Work in several inches of aged compost or other organic matter before planting.
Starting Celery Root from Seed
Celery root can be tricky to find as transplants, so starting from seed is recommended. Sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your projected last frost date.
Fill trays or cell packs with seed starting mix and sow 2-3 seeds per cell, 1/4 inch deep. Keep the soil evenly moist and warm around 70°F until germination, which takes 14-21 days.
After seedlings develop 2-3 true leaves, thin to leave just the strongest plant per cell. Transplant into larger containers as they grow, maintaining temperatures around 60-70°F.
When transplanting outdoors, handle the small plants very gently. Their long taproot is sensitive to damage. Space plants 6-8 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.
How to Care for Celery Root
Celeriac needs consistent moisture and partial shade during the warm summer months. Apply 1-2 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Water whenever the top few inches of soil become dry.
These heavy feeders also require regular fertilization for best growth. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks. Without sufficient nutrients, the roots may fail to swell and enlarge.
Remove any side shoots that develop to encourage a smooth, rounded shape to the taproot. Hill up soil or mulch around the crown halfway through the summer to blanch it for tenderness.
Harvesting and Storing Celery Root
Celery root matures 90-120 days from planting. The roots reach peak flavor after a light frost.
Use a garden fork to carefully dig up mature plants. Cut off tops, leaving 1-2 inches of stem. Scrub off dirt, trim hairy roots, and peel away outer skin before use.
Cured properly, celery root will keep for 4-6 months in cold storage around 32-40°F. Avoid any temperature fluctuations. Store trimmed roots in slightly damp sawdust or sand in a dark root cellar.
Celeriac can also be frozen for later use. Simply slice peeled roots and blanch for 3-4 minutes before freezing.
How to Use Celery Root
Celery root is highly versatile in the kitchen. It can be roasted, boiled, fried, pureed, or eaten raw in salads. It pairs well with creamy or acidic ingredients like lemon, apples, cheeses, bacon, and herbs.
Popular recipes include celeriac soup, roasted celery root, celeriac gratin, celery root slaw, and celeriac home fries. It can even be sliced thin and used as a nutrient-dense alternative to potato chips!
Common Problems With Celery Root
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Damping off – Avoid overwatering seedlings. Improve drainage and air circulation.
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Bolting – Don’t expose young plants to temps below 55°F.
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Poor development – Insufficient water or nutrients.
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Pests – Use row covers to exclude carrot rust fly. Handpick slugs and snails.
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Downy mildew – Improve air circulation. Use resistant varieties if available.
With proper timing, care, and harvest, celery root is a low-maintenance and highly rewarding crop for any fall garden. If you love exploring unique flavors, this knobby veggie is a must-grow!
Fine Gardening Project Guides
It’s safe to say that celeriac will never be featured in photos of baskets brimming with luscious, perfect produce. In fact, one look at this knobby, dun-colored vegetable with its messy fringe of rootlets and the description “hit by the ugly stick” might come to mind. However, looks aren’t everything. Celeriac is grown for its knobby root rather than for its leaves. It is easier to grow than celery and has a long storage life and a smooth celery flavor I find useful in the kitchen.
| Celeriac might look like a tangled, inedible mess, but with a little preparation, this mild celery-flavored root moves easily from garden to kitchen. |
| Celeriac transplants are hard to find in garden centers, so you’ll have to grow your own. |
| Throughout the season, remove any lateral and lower shoots to help the root develop a smooth surface. |
Celeriac, also known as turnip-rooted celery or celery root, offers fine-grained white flesh with a taste that always reminds me of the main ingredients in Waldorf salad: celery, apples, and walnuts. Although a close relative of celery, this lesser-known kin is far easier to grow as long as your summers aren’t dry and hot. Like most fall and winter root vegetables, it is a great keeper and will remain in good condition for four to six months in a root cellar or refrigerator crisper.
Chances are your local purveyor of vegetable transplants won’t be carrying celeriac, so if you want to grow this European favorite, you’ll have to start it from seed. It requires a long growing season (120 days) and can take two to three weeks to germinate. I start seeds March 1, 10 weeks from the average date of the last frost in my Zone 5a garden.
Like the seeds of parsley, a fellow member of the Umbelliferae, those of celeriac benefit from an overnight soak in water to hasten germination. After drying them on a folded paper towel, I sprinkle the seeds on the surface of a 4-inch pot filled with a sterile potting mix. I press the seeds lightly into the pot and water from the bottom. To keep the soil moist, I attach a piece of clear plastic wrap with a rubber band, punching holes in it for ventilation. Celeriac seed germinates best at 70°F. When the seedlings are about ½ inch tall, I transplant the largest to 1½-inch pots and continue to grow them out under cool (60° to 65°F) conditions.
Hardening off is the next step, and it is here that you must pay close attention to celeriac’s biennial nature. If your seedlings experience 10 consecutive days or more of temperatures under 45°F, 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. So be sure to harden off your celeriac when days and nights are above 45°F.
Another important factor in growing large, fine-textured celeriac is proper soil conditions. The ancestor of both celery and celeriac grew in marshy areas, and the closer your soil is to a rich and moist environment, the happier your 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, I mulch with straw to conserve the soil moisture as we head into the warmer days of summer.
After hardening off my seedlings for at least a week, I transplant them to the garden sometime in late April or early May, giving each plant a dose of liquid fish emulsion. Since celeriac likes a rich diet, I repeat this dose every two weeks throughout the summer. I grow celeriac with offset spacing, 10 inches apart in beds. They can also be grown 8 inches apart in rows 18 inches from each other. To protect them from any lingering frosts, I cover them with a floating row cover for a week or two.
During the growing season, I monitor the soil regularly to make sure it’s moist. I also check for any lateral leaf shoots. I snap these off to get a smooth crown. Toward the end of July, I remove some of the outer leaves to make the root grow larger and smoother, then I cover it with soil or mulch to keep it blanched and tender.
Harvest after a light frost
Celeriac can be harvested and eaten before it attains its maximum size, but since there is such a bountiful supply of fresh garden vegetables in the summer, I always wait until fall to dig it. Its flavor, like that of other root vegetables, is improved by a touch of frost, which converts some of its starch to sugar.
When first dug, celeriac has a rude, primitive appearance. I 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, I allow the excess water to dry, then put the celeriac in a perforated, food-grade plastic bag and store it in my root cellar. 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.
| Sources for celeriac seed | ||
| Southern Exposure Seed Exchange PO Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 540-894-9480 www.southernexposure.com | Stokes Seeds PO Box 548 Buffalo, NY 14240-0548 716-695-6980 www.stokeseeds.com | Territorial Seed Co. PO Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 800-626-0866 www.territorial-seed.com |
Finally Successful Growing Celeriac
FAQ
How long does celery root take to grow?
It’s ready to harvest in about 110 to 130 days depending on the variety. Purchase transplants or start seeds indoors if your gardening season is short. Gardeners in zone 7 and warmer areas can plant celeriac in summer for a winter or spring harvest. A bit more information: Try roasting the whole root at 375°F.
Is celeriac difficult to grow?
Celeriac is much easier to grow than celery, and aside from flavour, looks very similar to celery with its stems and leaves.
How long does it take for celeriac to grow?
Celeriac takes at least six months to reach maturity, so should be sown indoors, to get it off to an early, strong start.
What is the trick to growing celery?
Celery needs at least 1 to 2 inches of water from rainfall or irrigation each week during the growing season. Always soak the soil thoroughly when watering because celery has a small, shallow root system. Any water stress during the year causes the stalks to become stringy and gives them a strong flavor.
How do you grow celery?
Celery does best when grown in well-draining soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Amending the soil with organic matter, such as aged manure or compost, adds important nutrients. Celery likes consistently moist soil and tends to be thirsty, so be attentive to the soil moisture and provide adequate water.
How to make celery juice?
Making celery juice is quite easy and straightforward. You have the option to use a juicer or a blender. It will be better to use a juicer instead to save you time, especially if you have a busy morning. The first step in making your detox juice recipe is to use one bunch of organic celery and cut off the base to separate the stalk.
Can you grow celery root indoors?
Celery root may seem like a lot of trouble for such an ugly veggie, but it is incredibly rewarding and even slightly addicting once you get the hang of it. Start early! Sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last frost. Avoid exposing young plants to temperatures under 55°F (13°C).