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Growing Celeriac

How to grow Celeriac in garden beds

and allotments

Celeriac

Family/Latin Name

Apiaceae - Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

Type of Plant

Bulbous - Crop Rotation Group = Others

Suitable for

Garden Beds, Allotments

See also:- Vegetable Growing Glossary | Container Growing | Buying Seeds & Plants

Plant Dimensions	Height +60cm/2ft - Spread up to 45cm/18"
Yield Per Plant Yield per 1.5m/5ft row	1 Celeriac Bulb 1.8kg/4lb
Time between sowing and harvesting	34 weeks
Where to Sow	Indoors in small pots
Sowing time	March - temperature 16-21C/60-70F
How to Sow	2 seeds per 7.5cm/3" pot 12mm/½-inch deep
After Germination	Remove weakest seedling. Keep well watered but not too wet.
Growing on - in Pots	Not generally recommended but there's nothing to stop you trying provided you have very large and deep containers.
Growing on - in open ground	Harden off plants and finally move outdoors in May or June once all danger of frost has passed. Plant out in rows or blocks 37cm/18" apart each way. Plant firmly, water in and be sure not to bury the crowns though the stem base should be at ground level.
Aftercare	Keep weed free. Remove side shoots then from mid-summer start removing the lower leaves to expose the bulb. In late September, draw the surrounding soil up around the bulbs.
Harvesting	Begin lifting the bulbs from October, but aim at growing the bulbs to maximum size (about 12cm/5") as neither the texture or taste deteriorate. Continue lifting until spring. Covering the bulbs with straw or fleece will help lifting from frozen ground much easier.

Pests and Diseases

Companion Plants

Carrot Root Fly
Indications	First sign is that the carrot leaves may look a reddish rust colour. Lifted carrots have small holes and short white maggots
Treatment	None once infected
Prevention	Organic 1. Companion Planting 2. Prevent the fly getting to the carrots by erecting barriers about 45cm/18" high around the rows or beds, using stakes and polythene sheeting or fleece. 3. Sow carrot fly resistant varieties such as "flyaway" or "Sytan". Chemical Apply an insecticide containing Lambda-cyhalothrin
Celery Fly
Indications	Brown blisters in leaves
Treatment	Organic Pinch out and destroy blistered leaves Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Malathion
Prevention	Grow under garden fleece or fine mesh
Slugs
Indications	Young leaves are eaten - sometimes completely missing
Treatment	Organic 1. Sink small pots filled with beer to ground level. Empty daily 2. Sprinkle slugs with table salt Chemical Use slug pellets
Prevention	None

Companion Flower Graphic

Onion & Cabbage Families, Tomato, Broad Beans, Nasturtium

Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies". To learn more about companion planting click here.

In the Kitchen

Storage: Best to harvest when you are ready to use. Keeps for 4-7 days in a cool, dark dry place or refrigerator. Twist off the leaves before storing for any length of time. Can also be stored in sturdy boxes between layers of damp peat and kept in the garage or shed.

Preparing: Wash in cold water. Cut a thin slice from each end then thickly peel to remove the skin and reveal the white centre. drop into acidulated water or rub with lemon juice to prevent discolouration.

Cooking:

Bake/Roast	Chunks, slices or Cubes = 40 - 60 minutes
Boil	Chunks, slices or Cubes = 15 - 20 minutes
Fry/Sauté	Par-boil Cubes or slices or grate first = 5-8 minutes
Steam	Chunks, slices or Cubes = 20 - 25 minutes

For more preparation and cooking information about celeriac plus lots of recipes visit our sister site www.recipes4us.co.uk

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