In the veggie garden we generally go by the rule that the uglier the produce, the more alluring it is. This always rings true among tomatoes, with the ribbed and knotted brain-like tangle of beefsteak varieties by far the tastiest (but with a face only a mother could love). The same rings true with celeriac, a close relative of the more commonly grown, and conventionally attractive, celery.
The moment you pull celeriac from the ground there is the universal assumption among fair people that it must taste good. The tangle and knot of roots is so damn ugly that it’d be cruel if it only tasted mediocre. Fortunately, things work out for this vegetable, and the smooth interior of the root is like a fresh salad of apples, walnuts and, of course, celery. Whole celeriac makes for a simple, earthy treat when roasted under low heat. Despite its foliage, celeriac should be thought of as a root vegetable from a gardening perspective. It is particularly hungry and thirsty, so be generous with compost and manure in preparing your soil. This will not only provide the extra nutrients, but will also improve water retention and soil structure in the patch. Celeriac can be kept in ground well into winter because cold weather will help the flesh to sweeten (as natural starches are converted to sugar). Once harvested, it will keep for a number months in the crisper drawer of a fridge, so you can admire its unconventional beauty whenever you want.
PLANTING
Soak the seeds prior to planting to aid germination. The seeds should be propagated in seed trays prior to transplanting. Celeriac is slow to germinate so don’t grow despondent if you don’t see growth even after two weeks.
WATERING
In ground: Water daily for the first 4 weeks and 2-3 times a week in the absence of rainfall thereafter.
In Pots: Water daily for the first 4 weeks, or until the weather becomes consistently cooler, and then cut back to watering every second day.
MAINTENANCE
Integrate compost into the patch and then transplant to the required spacing.
Apply monthly applications of liquid seaweed solution.
After 2 months mulch to a depth of 3–5cm using pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane mulch.
HARVESTING
Time until first harvest: About 16 weeks.
How to harvest: Harvest from the size of a tennis ball to that of a large fist, using a hand fork to loosen the ground and taking care not to disturb other plants.
TIP
It loves water, so don’t deny it. The success of growing celeriac will directly correlate to your diligence as a waterer.
