celeriac

[goldwolf]

Hi veggie people.
thinking of growing Celeriac for the first time. Do I grow it like swede ?
any tips
thanks

[wellie]

No, bear with me (I've got something on the stove?) will be back to elaborate in a mo....

[HeyWayne]

This better be good, I'm growing beetroot as we speak....

[wellie]

Sorry about that! Celeriac needs quite a long growing season and LOTS of moisture. Whereas Swede you don't sow until May, with lots of moisture, because it bulks up really quickly.

I normally start my celeriac off in January, and the seedlings are absolutely MINUTE for ages and ages. Have a Go though! and see how they turn out this year if you're wanting to gain a bit of experience?

I think it's a very underrated vegetable. Trousers and I love it, and there are plenty of lovely recipes to make use of it.

[sewer rat]

I grew celeriac last year and the last of it went into my boxes this week. I started mine off in small cells - the seed is absolutely tiny - so an alternative might be to sprinkle a pinch into a 3" pot for pricking out later.
Mine grew on and was potted on into 12 cell packs where it grew on further til planting outside. I grew the variety Prinz, but I'm trying the variety Prague Giant this year.
No special care was given and it did well so I must have done something right.
I like it but it's not to everyone's taste - thoughI think some people are put off because it is, without a doubt, the ugliest vegetable I know of - especially before it is trimmed and washed.

[HeyWayne]

Sounds like I'm doing allright then.

Just don't sneeze when you sow them.

Mine have just started to sprout.

[Paulottie]

Yep, As Wellie stated, takes forever to get going so get it started now. Needs lovely rich moisture retentive soil. NEVER let it dry out. Come Autumn regularly tear off the outer leaves so as stem base keeps swelling. Easy to grow(certainly less hassle than celery) but hard to grow bigger than a tennis ball. It will stand right into the winter and is fab mashed in with spuds, in stews, grated or anywhere celery is used.

[wellie]

Sewer Rat - according to your notes (if you don't mind) when abouts did you sow yours last year? and did you get any running to seed/bolting at all?

I grew about nine and had two run to seed half way thro' the season. Some of the others got 'tunnelled out' by slugs, who found a perfect home within them, and the remainder, Trousers and I enjoyed when Those Grapevine Peeps came for lunch as a kind of coleslaw, which was delicious.

Thanks in advance,
X

[wellie]

Aaaaaaccchhhoooo!
Bu@@er.....
X

[HeyWayne]

Aaaaaaccchhhoooo!
Bu@@er.....
X

Awwww maaaan! Now I've got to start over!

They smell lovely though don't they?

[shirlthegirl43]

Aaaaaaccchhhoooo!
Bu@@er.....
X

Bless you!

Might give these a go - I use lots of celery in soups but don't like it otherwise - guess celeriac might be an easier way to get the same flavour

[sewer rat]

Wellie
I only started sowing seeds on 28th March last year as I had only just got the cover on my tunnel that week . Celeriac was sown on the 2nd April from my diary. I didn't note how many I sowed - must have been really busy that day -but it was a lot cause I know I planted out 800. I cannot recall any bolting at all, though I do recall that they were very slow to germinate and, as you say, once germinated, stayed very small for a long long time.
PS Maggie and the kids are away for the weekend so I'll accept your X and send you one in return - X

[HeyWayne]

PS Maggie and the kids are away for the weekend so I'll accept your X and send you one in return - X

Ahem, where's mine?

By the way shirl, try it in a soup, iss lovely!

[sewer rat]

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THERE , YA HAPPY NOW ?

PS - Just cause I wear a kilt, don't be getting any ideas OK !!

[wellie]

Bless you Sewer Rat, I accept your 'X' graciously with a curtsey. And thank you for the information.

Heywayne. Sorry mate. (See Mutley from Whackey Races.....)!

ShirlEY.... do try it. Did you have any of it while you were here? It makes a gorgeous coleslaw, just with a bit of mayo, and goes fantastically well with smoked chicken, in my humble opinion.
X