How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Celeriac

Celeriac is a cool-season biennial grown as an annual. It has similar requirements as celery.

Celeriac is also known as celery root. Celeriac is grown for its large, swollen root that looks something like a turnip. The root develops at the soil level similar to a turnip but celeriac is a member of the celery family and has a similar growth habit. From the root, a rosette of dark green leaves sprouts atop hollow stems.

Celeriac is best started indoors and later transplanted into the garden. Celeriac is best when it comes to harvest in cool weather. Like celery, celeriac seedlings are likely to bolt if exposed to low temperatures in the 30s and 40sF for more than a week or two. Set seedlings in the garden after the last frost.

Sow celeriac seed indoors as early as 8 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Celeriac requires 90 to 120 days to reach harvest.

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Grow celeriac — Celeriac plants near harvest

Table of Contents

Celery planting details

Sowing depth: 1/2 inch (12mm) or less
Space between plant after thinning: 6-8 inches (cm)
Days to sprout: 21; pre-sprout by placing seeds in a damp paper towel at room temperature for a few days
Days to harvest: 100
Storage period: 6 months
Seeds per 100-row feet: ½ ounce
Yield per 100-row feet: 200 plants

Yield. Grow 2 to 3 celeriac plants per household member.

Tools for Vegetable Gardeners at Amazon:

celeriac growing in row — Celeriac (also called celery root) grows best in cool weather, especially when nights are cool.

Where to plant celeriac

Celeriac grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Plant celeriac in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost to planting beds before plants and again at midseason. Celeriac is a heavy feeder; give plants a side dressing of compost tea every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season.

Celeriac planting time

Celeriac grows best in cool weather, especially when nights are cool. Grow celeriac in spring in cold-winter regions; in warm-winter regions grow celeriac beginning in late summer so that it matures in cool weather. Celeriac is slow to germinate and is best grown from transplants. Sow seed indoors as early as 10 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Plants can go into the garden on the average date of the last frost. Celeriac requires up to 120 days to reach harvest. A late summer crop can be sown directly in the garden where there is enough time for a second harvest.

Celery seed starting dates

(These dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)

Average date of the last frost	Planting dates
Jan. 30	Jan. 1-Feb. 1
Feb. 8	Jan. 10-Feb. 10
Feb. 18	Jan. 20-Feb. 20
Feb. 28	Feb. 1-Mar. 1
Mar. 10	Feb. 20-Mar. 20
Mar. 20	Mar. 1-Apr. 1
Mar. 30	Mar. 15-Apr. 15
Apr. 10	Apr. 1-Apr. 20
Apr. 20	Apr. 10-May 1
Apr. 30	Apr. 15-May 1
May 10	Apr. 20-June 15
May 20	May 10-June 15
May 30	May 20 -June 1
June 10	June 1-June 15

Celeriac planting and spacing

Sow celeriac seed ⅛ inch deep. Place a seed cloth or burlap over the seeding area to keep the soil moist until plants sprout.

Celeriac seed can be slow to germinate. Fold seeds into a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag for a few days at room temperature until they sprout then transplant them to a flat with moistened seed mix. Grow the seedlings at room temperature.

When plants are 3 to 4 inches (7.6-10cm) tall thin them from 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) apart or transplant them into the garden at that distance.

Space rows 24 to 30 inches (61-76cm) apart. Celeriac is often set into the garden in 3- to 4-inch (7.6-10cm) deep trenches, similar to celery. As the plants grow, soil can be mounded around the exposed root.

Celeriac companion plants

Grow celeriac with lettuce, spinach, and garden peas. Do not plant celeriac with pumpkins, cucumbers, or squash.

Container growing celeriac

Celeriac can be grown in a container, but not well. Choose an 8-inch (20cm) container for a single plant.

Celeriac in garden soil — Lack of soil moisture will cause celeriac to stop growing.

Watering and feeding celeriac

Water regularly when growing celeriac; keep the soil evenly moist or the roots will dry out and become tough.

Celeriac is shallow-rooted and requires regular watering. Lack of soil moisture will cause celeriac to stop growing. Keep the top few inches of soil moist at all times.

Celeriac care

Keep celeriac planting beds weed-free to avoid competition for water and nutrients. Cultivate carefully to avoid celeriac’s shallow roots. As the root develops, snip off the side roots and hill up the soil over the swollen bulbous root to blanch it. The outside of the root will blanch white but the flesh will remain a brownish color.

Celeriac pests and diseases

Celeriac has no serious pest problems.
Celeriac has no serious disease problems.

Celeriac sliced — Celeriac will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, or store the root in a cold, moist place for 2 to 3 months.

Harvesting celeriac

Harvest celeriac when the swollen root is 3 to 4 inches (7.6-10cm) across or slightly larger. Cut stems close to the knobby root; use a garden fork to lift the roots. Celeriac will increase with flavor following a light frost but should be harvested before the first hard freeze. From seed, celeriac will reach harvest in 110 to 120 days.

Storing and preserving celeriac

Celeriac will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, or store the root in a cold, moist place for 2 to 3 months. Celeriac will keep in the ground where the soil does not freeze. Leaves can be used as an herb in soups and stews.

Celeriac kitchen use

Celeriac roots can be braised and blanched until just tender-crisp; they can also be boiled and mashed. Raw celeriac root can be grated for salads. The leaves and stalks are strong, bitter-flavored, and tough, basically inedible.

Celeriac leaves can be used to flavor soups and stews.