Celeriac

A practical vegetable garden series

 

From a tiny seed to a knobbly, celery-flavoured winter root.

 

Written for home gardeners in Hungary

CHAPTER WELCOME

Your celeriac season starts here

This book follows the whole journey: seed → seedling → garden → care → harvest → kitchen → next season.

Celeriac is a slow-growing crop with a long journey from seed to harvest. The small, pale seeds grow into leafy plants whose swollen base develops through summer and autumn. Give each plant a very early start, rich soil and steady moisture, and the roots will reward your patience with a fresh, earthy flavour for the kitchen.

In Hungary, start celeriac indoors in late winter or early spring, then plant it outside once the weather has warmed. Young plants can bolt if they are exposed to a prolonged cold spell, while drought can leave the roots small. Keep the crown at soil level, water regularly and let the plants grow steadily through summer.

Our Hungarian calendar

 

 

The rule for this series: dates guide us, but the plant and the weather make the final decision.

CHAPTER 1

Meet the Celeriac

Celeriac is related to celery, but it is grown for its swollen base rather than its stalks.

Celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) is a cultivated form of celery grown for its swollen, knobbly base. The edible part is often called a root, although it develops at the base of the stem and upper root. Its flavour is like a mild, earthy celery. The plant makes a bunch of green leaves above the soil, and the bulb enlarges slowly below. It is a long-season crop, so an early start and steady care matter.

Celeriac or celery?

 

Two celery relatives with different harvests

·  Celeriac: grown for its swollen base, peeled and cooked or grated raw.

·  Celery: grown mainly for its crisp leaf stalks, which are eaten raw or cooked.

·  Early sowing: celeriac needs a long growing season, so start seed indoors in late winter or early spring.

·  Moisture-loving crop: the soil should stay consistently damp but not waterlogged.

·  Crown: the point where leaves meet the swollen base; plant at soil level and do not bury it.

·  Biennial plant: celeriac usually makes its edible base in year one and flowers in its second season.

 

CHAPTER 2

Choose Your Celeriac

Choose a variety that fits your garden and give it enough time to develop a useful-sized root.

Ask yourself five questions

1.         Can I start the tiny seeds indoors early in the year?

2.         Can I keep seedlings warm, bright and moist until planting time?

3.         Do I have a sunny bed with rich soil that does not dry out quickly?

4.         Can I give plants about 30 cm of space and water through summer?

5.         Would I like to harvest roots gradually into autumn and winter?

A beginner-friendly first planting

 

 

 

CHAPTER 3

Let’s Sow

Celeriac needs at least six months to mature, so start seeds indoors. The seeds are tiny and germination can be slow or uneven. Sow them in a warm, bright place and cover only lightly; a thick layer of compost can prevent them from emerging.

When to sow in Hungary

Sow celeriac indoors in February or March, using a seed tray or small pots in a warm room or heated propagator. Press the fine seeds onto moist compost and cover only with a light sprinkling; they need light to germinate. Keep them above about 15°C and water gently. Harden seedlings off gradually, then transplant from late May to early June after cold nights have passed. Follow the variety packet, as growth speed varies.

What you need

·  Fresh celeriac seeds

·  Seed tray or small pots with drainage holes

·  Fine seed compost and a clear label

·  A warm, bright place for slow germination

·  A sunny bed with moisture-retentive soil

Sowing, step by step

1.         Fill a tray or pots with fine, moist seed compost and level the surface.

2.         Scatter seeds thinly across the surface; press them gently into the compost.

3.         Add only a very light covering, or leave the seeds uncovered if the packet advises.

4.         Label the variety and date; keep the compost warm and evenly moist.

5.         When seedlings appear, move them into bright light and keep them above 10°C.

 

 

CHAPTER 4

Seedling School

Celeriac seedlings grow slowly at first. Keep them warm, bright and evenly watered while they develop into sturdy young plants.

Give seedlings light and room

Celeriac seed can take up to three weeks to germinate, and the seedlings are tiny. Once they are large enough to handle, prick them into individual small pots or thin them to one seedling per module. Lift them by a leaf and keep the roots intact. Give each plant bright light so it does not become weak and stretched.

Why is germination uneven?

The seeds are very small and need warmth, light and a moist surface. Cold compost, a thick covering or drying out can delay emergence. Be patient and keep watering with a fine spray. If some seedlings appear later, give them time before discarding the tray.

Water steadily

Keep compost moist but not soggy while seedlings grow. Never let small pots dry out completely. Once planted outside, water deeply whenever the soil begins to dry. Celeriac needs regular moisture for many months, especially while the swollen base is forming.

Feeding

Celeriac grows best in fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. Mix mature compost into the bed before planting. If plants grow slowly or look pale, first check moisture, roots and light. A balanced vegetable feed can help during active growth, but follow the product label.

 

 

CHAPTER 5

Ready for the Real World

Harden off celeriac plants before planting outside, but keep them warm while young. Cold stress can make them flower too early.

Before planting: check the plants and the bed

1.         Choose healthy seedlings with several true leaves and a sturdy centre.

2.         Water the pots before planting so root balls hold together.

3.         Harden plants off gradually in a sheltered place once days are mild.

4.         Prepare a sunny, fertile bed that stays moist but drains freely.

5.         Plant with the crown level with the soil surface; water in well.

When is it ready in Hungary?

Plant out from late May to early June, once the soil is warm and the risk of frost has passed. Celeriac is sensitive to cold when young; a prolonged chilly spell can trigger premature flowering instead of a good swollen base. Keep young plants covered with fleece if cold weather returns, and do not rush them into an exposed bed.

Around Győr, wait until spring has settled and nights are mild before planting. A sheltered position can help, but avoid a spot that dries quickly in summer. Celeriac takes many months to mature, so transplant sturdy seedlings on time and keep them watered through the warm season.

 

 

CHAPTER 6

Give Them a Good Home

A sunny bed, rich soil and steady moisture help celeriac develop a large, firm base.

The right place

Choose full sun or light shade and fertile, moisture-retentive soil that does not become waterlogged. Work in mature compost before planting. Celeriac is slow to grow and has shallow roots, so avoid very dry beds and places where weeds compete for water. Do not grow it after celery or celeriac in the same spot if you can rotate crops.

Spacing

Plant seedlings about 30 cm apart in rows 40–45 cm apart, or follow the variety packet. Each plant needs enough space for its leafy top and swollen base to develop. Keep the crown at soil level rather than burying it. Wider spacing improves airflow and makes it easier to water and weed around the plants.

Planting day

1.         Water seedlings and prepare a moist, weed-free bed.

2.         Make a hole just large enough for the root ball.

3.         Set the plant so the crown sits level with the soil surface.

4.         Firm gently and water deeply around each seedling.

5.         Add a label with the variety and planting date.

Growing in pots

Celeriac can grow in a large container, but it needs frequent watering and a long season. Choose a pot at least 40–45 cm wide and deep, with drainage holes and fresh, rich potting mix. Plant one seedling and keep the crown at soil level. Check moisture often in summer, as a dry pot can stop the base swelling.

 

CHAPTER 7

Water, Feed & Keep Them Growing

Celeriac is a steady, thirsty crop. Regular care through summer helps its base swell before autumn.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist through the growing season, especially in hot weather and while the base is enlarging. If the soil dries out, give it a thorough soaking rather than a little water every day. Mulch can slow evaporation, but do not pile it over the crown. Container plants may need daily checks in summer.

Mulch

Once the soil is warm and plants are established, add a thick layer of mature compost or clean straw around them. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Leave the crown visible and keep checking beneath the mulch for slugs.

Feeding

Prepare the bed with mature compost before planting. Celeriac needs enough nutrients for months of leafy growth and root development. If growth is weak, check that the soil is moist and plants are not crowded. Apply a balanced vegetable feed during active growth only if needed, following the product directions.

Keep plants healthy

Remove yellow or damaged outer leaves that have fallen horizontally, but keep healthy leaves to feed the growing base. If small side shoots appear, remove them carefully. Weed by hand so you do not damage shallow roots, and look out for slugs, leaf-mining damage and leaf spots.

 

CHAPTER 8

Leaves, Crowns & “What Is That?”

Celeriac grows a leafy top above ground and a swollen base at the soil surface. Both help show how it is doing.

Why is the base still small?

Celeriac needs a long growing season. Late sowing, cold-stressed seedlings, crowding, poor soil or repeated drought can all limit the size of the base. Check that the crown is not buried, that the plants receive enough light and that the soil stays moist. Most of the swelling happens later in the season, so give healthy plants time.

The beginner’s trouble guide

 

 

 

CHAPTER 9

Can I Pick It Yet?

Yes—and you can start lifting roots once they have reached a useful size in autumn.

What “ready” looks like

The swollen base should be firm and large enough for the kitchen; many gardeners begin harvesting when it is about 8–10 cm across, though variety and sowing date affect size. Ease the soil beside a plant with a fork and lift it carefully. You can harvest from October onward, or leave roots in the ground and lift them as needed while the soil remains workable.

Harvest from autumn onward

 

How often should I check?

Check plants from October, brushing soil away from the base to see how large it has grown. Lift a root when it reaches the size you want. In mild weather, celeriac can remain in the bed for gradual harvest. Before the ground freezes hard, mulch the row or lift the remaining roots for cool storage.

 

 

CHAPTER 10

From the Garden to the Kitchen

Celeriac has a gentle celery flavour and works well in soups, mash, salads and roasted vegetable dishes.

The first rule: peel it well

Cut away the leaves and small roots, then peel the knobbly outer skin with a sturdy knife. Celeriac can darken after cutting, so place raw pieces in water with a squeeze of lemon while you prepare the rest. Use it grated in a salad or remoulade, roast it in chunks, mash it with potato or simmer it in soup until tender.

Match celeriac to the dish

·  Raw and crisp: grate into a lemony salad or creamy remoulade.

·  Roasted: cut into cubes, toss with oil and herbs, then roast until tender.

·  Soup: simmer with potato, onion and stock, then blend until smooth.

·  Mash: cook until soft and mash with potato, butter or olive oil.

 

Storing fresh celeriac

Twist or cut off the leaves after lifting, leaving a short crown. Brush away loose soil but do not wash roots that will be stored. Keep them cool and humid in a cellar, refrigerator or a box of slightly damp sand. Check regularly and remove any roots that soften or show rot.

When you have more than you can use

Celeriac freezes well after peeling, dicing, blanching briefly and cooling quickly. Drain and freeze in meal-size portions. You can also cook and freeze purée or soup. If the soil is not waterlogged and hard frost has not arrived, leave healthy roots in the bed under a thick mulch and lift them when needed.

CHAPTER 11

Next Season Starts Now

Celeriac takes patience, so notes about seed starting and watering can help you get a better harvest next year.

Keep a tiny garden record

·  Variety name and seed source

·  Date seeds were sown and seedlings appeared

·  When plants were transplanted outdoors

·  How consistently the soil stayed moist

·  When the bases began to swell

·  The size and flavour of roots at harvest

·  Whether you would grow the variety again

Saving seed and planning another crop

Celeriac is usually grown as an annual for its swollen base, but it is biennial and flowers in its second year. Saving seed means keeping a healthy plant through winter and letting it flower the following season. Celeriac can cross with celery, so saving seed true to a variety is difficult in a home garden. F1 seed may not come true-to-type. For most gardeners, buying fresh seed each year is simpler.

1.         Choose a healthy plant with the shape and flavour you liked.

2.         Leave it unharvested and protect it through winter where conditions allow.

3.         Allow the plant to flower and form seed umbels the following year.

4.         Collect dry seed before it falls from the flower heads.

5.         Dry fully, label with variety and year, and store cool and dry.

 

 

COME GROW WITH ME

CELERIAC CHEAT SHEET

The page to come back to when you have soil on your hands and no time to reread the whole book.

 

 

 

COME GROW WITH ME • CELERIAC

 Seasonal guidance is adapted for Hungarian home gardens.