Gardening Challenge: Try Growing Celeriac
May 31, 2010 – 6:36 pm by MarinaHanes
Do you have any idea what celeriac is? Well, it’s a root crop and member of the celery family. Some gardeners refer to it as “knob celery,” but it’s a less common vegetable found in gardens. Because celeriac has a long growing season, many gardeners avoid this vegetable. However, if you want to take on the challenge, below are some tips for how to grow knob celery.
How to Plant Celeriac
It’s best to start growing celeriac indoors since it requires 200 days to mature. Also, you will probably have to purchase the seeds online since this is a rare plant people choose to grow. As you grow celeriac, it will have a root bulb about four inches in diameter or more.
The seedlings can be planted outside after the last frost date in your region. To ensure that each plant has enough space, each one should be planted four to six inches apart in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.
In comparison to celery, celeriac doesn’t require much maintenance. All it requires is rich soil, full sun, hydration and fertilizer at least once a month. Some insects and pests you might have to ward off include slugs, carrot flies and celery flies.
Harvesting Knob Celery
Within 200 days, you should have fully grown celeriac plants that you can harvest. When it’s time to harvest, you will take the small bulbs that measure a couple inches in diameter. These smaller bulbs are more tender, and if you keep them in a cool, dry place, they will last for a few weeks.
In addition to the long growing season and potential pests, you will also have to watch that the celeriac isn’t affected by frost in the spring or fall. This is definitely a challenging plant to test your green thumb with, but it’s something different to try.
Tags: celeriac, celeriac gardening, how to grow celeriac, knob celery