Comments on: Celeriac: Ugly, Alien, Delicious

By: janina

janina — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:21:19 +0000

celeriac has a very long growing season. It does best in cooler climates and in nutrient rich loose soil. it’s best to wait around 6 months before harvesting, which means you will want to wait *at least* until fall. really, this is going to depend on where you live. if you are in danger of a freeze, pull them before the freeze, if not, and you get a nice rainy winter, i would let them go until after winter. the more water you can get the better. the leaves are edible, but it they will be tougher, stringier, and more bitter than celery.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:32:22 +0000

I have celeric plants that I started from seed in early spring. How long does it take for the root to grow. I have pulled one that had a large top. It had healthy roots but not a bulbous root base like a carrot or large enough to eat. Are the leaves edible? Thanks for your help.
Chris

By: janina

janina — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:11:05 +0000

my guess is that you could still dig up and eat the root, but if you like it as an ornamental you might want to leave it and plant new ones for food. i dont really know anyone who has let them grow for more than one season. its possible that letting it go for so long would make it too large, resulting in a sort of dry spongy version of the root, instead of the dense crisp texture of a young root. i have certainly bought a few celeriacs that have that problem, and they are not as awesome as they could have been.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:46:49 +0000

I bought a small celeriac plant last year because I thought the leaves were pretty. I stuck it out in the perennial bed behind the house……..low and behold! this spring, up comes celeriac, bigger than ever! Wow! I didn’t even think that it was perennial, and we live in Wisconsin. Now what do I do? We cut come of the stalks to use as straws, and I have eaten some of the leaves, but can I still use the root? It just seems like one of those happy accidents to have it come back this year in full glory, since we read that it is a bit persnickety about its environment.

By: idit

idit — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:51:44 +0000

celeriac is the not-so-secret ingredient in all my best soups (clam chowder reaps the most benefit, i think). thanks janina for backing up one of my fave veggies!