celeriac

[pmc]

I grew celeriac for the first time this year, not very successfully as they haven't swelled much at all. Guess I didn't water enough.
Should I give up & pull them now or will they keep growing?

[alex-adam]

I had similar experience a couple of seasons ago, just didn't keep them moist enough.

Best salvage what you can now. They do freeze well. No point in leaving them although they are hardy enough to over-winter. As they are biennials will quickly run to seed next year.

You could leave a few in the ground and cut off the leaves as soon as they start growing in the spring, you should get a crop of fresh leaves which are nice added to a green salad or chopped onto celery soup.

[pmc]

That's what I thought. Do I blanch them before freezing?

[alex-adam]

That's what I thought. Do I blanch them before freezing?

Yes, peel and cut into 2cm (ish) cubes and blanch in the usual way for 2 or 3 mins.

[Nicos]

They do need a lot of water- and manured soil from the previous year to do well.

I found this....

Quote......
"They grow best in a soil which has been fertilised the previous season and not the current season. Too much nitrogen in the soil from manure etc. will encourage leaf growth rather then growth of the bulbous root.

The best soil is one which retains moisture but is also free-draining. Although those are the ideal conditions celeriac is very tolerant of soil conditions and will grow well on most sites."

Maybe you over-fed it too????

Just a thought.

[pmc]

Definitely didn't overfeed, I didn't feed at all! They also were growing on a patch which hadn't been manured for a couple of years so they didn't stand a chance. Will plant them in good soil next year & remember to feed & water.

[VirginVegGrower]

I feed with comfrey and have decent sized veg. Mine are covered with straw to protect the crowns.

[vegnut]

I pulled mine up in January last winter, and they were dark brown inside, i can only think that the frost got to them. So i think that VirginVegGrower has a good point, if you are going to leave them in the ground, cover them with straw or something to protect the crowns.