Celeriac

[Kitchen Gardener]

My celeriac has grown well and now I understand that I should remove all stems except the central one. I cut a few off today and I just wondered if these trimmings can be eaten (in soups etc), thy smell lovely just like celery.

[Penellype]

Why remove the stems? I'm not an experienced celeriac grower - first time this year, but it seems to me that if you remove a load of the stems and leaves you will restrict the plant's food making ability and get smaller roots. Just a guess.

The stems and leaves are nice to eat - I ate the thinnings having sown a lot of seeds (I understood they were poor germinators) and got far too many plants.

[hamamelis]

I've heard it's helpful to remove lower leaves, especially any that trail into the ground, to encourage good shape and growth, but not to remove all but the central one.

Mind you, I've tried twice before, and never grown a celeriac that would fill an eggcup, though this may be the year!

Either way, yes, you can use the stems and leaves in soup for celery flavour.

[Kitchen Gardener]

Thanks both, had a look today and one or two seem to be 'bulbing up' so think I shall just take a few leaves from each plant and see what happens. I am so pleased with the plants though, have never grown celeriac before so hopeful. Had a busy day today, took potatoes out after been advised that the tops looked a bit blighty, the potatoes themselves are very nice. I had the best jacket potato I have ever eaten .... ten minutes out of the ground before it was in the oven - wonderful. After lunch earthed up stems round leeks and more weeding.