Celeriac, the popular and vitamin-rich root vegetable, tastes great in salads or is used to flavor soups. Cultivation in your own garden promises success if the space and location are suitable.

Sowing, soil and location

Since the bulbs can reach a diameter of up to 20 cm, the main thing you need for growing celery is space. You also need patience, because it takes up to ten months from sowing to harvest.

The seeds are pre-cultivated from February to April protected from the wind in the cold frame or in a room that is not too warm. Celeriac needs light to germinate, so only lightly cover it with soil. Sparing watering hardens the young plants and makes them more resilient for the transition to the outdoors.

After the last frost, the plants that have been brought forward are placed in the beds, whereby 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, which is also permeable and moist. Heavy loamy soil is ideal. A wind-protected place in the sun is best suited as a location. Lots of light is important for good development.

care and fertilization

Maintenance requires some effort. For aeration and weed control, the soil around the young plants should be loosened occasionally. Once the tubers have become 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. Potassium and nitrogen-rich fertilizers are ideal, although nitrogen should be used sparingly as it could affect the taste of the tuber. Fertilizers containing potash help the celery to lighten the color of the bulbs.

Crop rotation and neighborhood

For the best results, the crop rotation should be kept to four years. If possible, do not combine the celeriac with other umbellifers, such as carrots or parsley. Your own conspecifics should not stand too close in line either. On the other hand, there is a beneficial togetherness with tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and lettuce.

harvest and storage

Picking the right time to harvest requires a little finesse. On the one hand, the tubers get a strong growth spurt in October, on the other hand, the celery should be taken out of the ground before the first frost.

Harvest the tubers on a dry day to prevent fungal infestation, twist off the foliage and cut off the roots. During mild winters, celery can remain in the soil if it is well drained. Protect the plants with a suitable cover. The celeriac is then always harvested fresh as needed.

tips and tricks

The “Riese von Prag” variety is considered tried and tested. The "Prinz" variety is resistant to leaf diseases and known for its smooth, round tubers.

Category:

Vegetable garden