Not all celery is the same. Celeriac differs from celeriac in many ways - including when it comes to harvesting. What needs to be taken into account so that nothing goes wrong during the harvest or afterwards?
When and how should I harvest celeriac?
Celeriac is best harvested between the end of October and the beginning of November, before the big frost period begins. In dry conditions, carefully lift the tubers out of the ground with a digging fork and remove roots and coarse leaves.
The right harvest time
There is no specific time when celeriac must be harvested. It can be harvested over a longer period of time. In principle, the harvest is possible from August if it is sown in time. But it is more recommended to harvest it between the end of October and the beginning of November.
The longer the tubers are allowed to remain in the ground, the larger they become. But before the first big frost period they should be freed from the ground. If the tubers are exposed to temperatures below -4 °C, they will be damaged. Among others, their taste suffers.
How to proceed?
It is ideal to remove the tubers from the ground when there is drought. In contrast to celery stalks, the plants are not cut off on the surface, but rather their tubers are harvested underground.
A digging fork (€139.00 on Amazon) can help. Use it to poke under the tubers. Now press the tubers out of the ground and onto the surface. Be careful not to damage the tubers. With a bit of luck, you can look forward to a yield of between 2.5 and 3 kg of celeriac per square meter.
Immediately after harvest
the sources of error do not suddenly disappear. Here's what you need to pay attention to:
- shorten the roots with a knife
- Twist off the coarse leaves (removes moisture and can then be used as soup greens)
- leave the heart leaves on the tubers
- store the tubers correctly, e.g. B. in sand in the cellar or alternatively process immediately
Tips & Tricks
The celeriac can be stored for a few months. To do this, it is advisable not to wash it, but to let the earth stick to it. This reduces the risk of rot.
