How do I know when my celeriac is ready?

[selfraising]

I have grown Celeriac for the first time this year and am pleased with the results so far. What size should they be for me to start harvesting them? The biggest one is about the size of a swede. Oh and are they frost hardy, can I leave them in the ground to pick when I need them?

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, hardy.
Eat when big enough for a meal.

[marathon]

mine are the size golf balls I think that maybe I didn't water enough. I'm hoping that if the weather stays on the warm side they will have time to put a spurt on.

[Alice]

You can start harvesting your celeriac when you lke Selraising as long as they are big enough to be worthwhile cooking. They are very hardy so you can just leave them in the ground and use them as you want them.

I think you're right about why yours are so small Marathon. Celeriac likes water, water, water.

[selfraising]

Thanks everyone! I will pull one up tomorrow!

[donzy84]

Mine are tiny too with long roots, guess they've been searching for water. Is it too late to do anything with the ones still in the ground or will they still keep growing?

[marathon]

Mine are tiny too with long roots, guess they've been searching for water. Is it too late to do anything with the ones still in the ground or will they still keep growing?

Since posting I have watered the bed every day making the soil very wet. I sractched at the soil around the plants and I'm pleased to say that the size has improved to tennis ball size.
So there maybe hope for a good harvest afterall.

I don't feel so daft as another plot holder hasn't been watering them too much so i pased on the advice from the vine.

[Storming Norman]

I saw the RHS veg gardener at Wisley taking off most of the outer leaves on their celeriac recently.

When asked why he said that he wanted roots not leaves and this was the best way to ensure the growth went there in the autumn.

I copied him straight away!

[Herbsandveg]

I put some Celeriacs in abut two months ago, and I'm wondering when they might eventually be ready. I haven't really watered them much, and I hope I haven't let them suffer too much. The leaves on the top look fine, but how will I know when they're actually ready to pull up? (Always assuming I start to give them lots of water and they manage to 'catch up'...)

[Nicos]

They need to grow to between 5" and 7" in diameter.
They do best with lots and lots of water.
We usually take our last ones by early winter!

[Herbsandveg]

General query to all:

I probably risking sounding a it dim here, but assuming there's an optimum size at which Celeriac's are prime for picking, how do we know if they've reached that size when the roots are buried under the soil?

I've given mine a really good watering this morning (cue a downpour this afternoon!) and am very, very keen to bring this though to a successful finish...I live the thought of mixing some in with mash or using in soups, and I really want to get it right with these!...

[Tripmeup]

Can you not see the crown of them at the top of the ground ?

[Herbsandveg]

Can you not see the crown of them at the top of the ground ?

I can't see it, no. Do you think I might have planted them too deep? (I didn't sow them myself; I bought them as young plants)...

[veggiechicken]

Calm down Herbs! You have weeks/months to wait yet Have a look at this TIME TO BE THINKING ABOUT LIFTING THE CELERIAC? | and see how long they take and how to find out when they are large enough