Celerium, the popular and vitamin-rich root vegetable, tastes good in salads or is used to season soups. Growing in your own garden is promising if the space and location conditions are suitable.
How do you plant celeriac correctly?
Celeriac should be pre-cultivated between February and April in a cold frame or protected indoor space, planted outdoors after the last frost and spaced at least 30 cm apart. A sunny location protected from the wind and loamy soil enriched with compost is ideal. Regular watering and fertilization are necessary.
Sowing, soil and location
Since the tubers can reach a diameter of up to 20 cm, you primarily need space to grow celery. You also need patience, because it takes up to ten months from sowing to harvest.
The seeds are pre-cultivated from February to April in a cold frame protected from the wind or in rooms that are not too warm. Celeriac is a light germinator, so only cover it lightly with soil. Economical watering hardens the young plants and makes them more resilient for the transition outdoors.
After the last frost, the early plants go into the beds, although the crown must remain above the ground. The space requirement of at least 30 cm between the plants and rows must be observed.
The celeriac prefers a soil enriched with manure or compost that is also permeable and moist. Heavy loamy soil is ideal. The best location is a place protected from the wind and in the sun. Lots of light is important for good development.
Care and fertilization
Care requires some effort. The soil around the young plants should be loosened occasionally for ventilation and weed control. Once the tubers are clearly visible, the upper roots are exposed. Drying out the exposed roots stimulates tuber growth. In addition, the soil around the plants must never dry out. The need for water is particularly high in September.
Fertilize twice during growth. Fertilizers rich in potassium and nitrogen are optimal, although nitrogen should be used more sparingly as it could affect the taste of the tuber. Fertilizer containing potassium helps the celery to have a brighter tuber color.
Crop rotation and neighborhood
For optimal results, the four-year crop rotation should be adhered to. If possible, do not combine celeriac with other umbelliferous plants, such as carrots or parsley. Your own species shouldn't stand too close in line either. Tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and lettuce, on the other hand, provide a conducive atmosphere.
Harvesting and storage
Choosing the right time for the harvest requires a bit of sensitivity. On the one hand, the tubers get a strong growth spurt in October, on the other hand, the celery should be removed from the ground before the first frost.
Harvest the tubers on a dry day to prevent fungal infestation, twist off the leaves and cut off the roots. During mild winters, celery can remain in the soil if it is well-drained. Protect the plants with suitable cover. You then always harvest the celeriac fresh as needed.
Tips & Tricks
The “Giant of Prague” variety is considered tried and tested. The variety “Prinz” is resistant to leaf diseases and known for its smooth, round tubers.