Celeriac / Celery Root : White Celeriac of Venice (Bianco del Veneto)

This heirloom root celery has been grown in Italy for centuries. It is one of the oddest looking plants to eat and grow but it is absolutely delicious.

Grown for its root which is 3-4 inches in diameter, completely fiberless and tastes like celery. Will store fairly easily just as you would a carrot. Cook in soups or stews, or use them in salads. @ 90-95 days. Grow as you would celery. Start seedlings about 10-12 weeks before set out date (two weeks after last frost date). Sow 5-6 seeds/square inch and cover with 1/8th inch of soil mix. If possible, keep the flat at 75 degrees F or so. Celery is slow to germinate and will take 14-21 days to germinate. When seedlings are two inches tall, transplant to individual containers (a six pack works fine). Transplant outside and space 6-8 inches. If using rows, space rows at 24 inches. Celery grows best in a fertile soil. Keep well watered.

Apiaceae Apium graveolens

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Celeriac / Celery Root: Celeriac / Celery Root

White Celeriac of Venice (Bianco del Veneto)

Celeriac is the same species as celery, but it is grown for its roots (actually a swollen stem base) rather than its stems. It has pretty much the same requirements as celery and is grown in the same way.

Basics

Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 90-115 (Spring/Summer), 105-115 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Hardy

Celeriac is quite hardy and can withstand a hard frost if it is covered with mulch.
Crops: Spring Transplant
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm

Celeriac can be started indoors, which is good since it tends to grow so slowly initially. The seedlings like a fairly cool 60˚ F for growth. Take care to keep them moist. It is likely they will take 8 to 12 weeks to reach the desired size for transplanting. Make sure to harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: No
Light: Part shade (Warm)

Celeriac does like partial shade. If temperatures get too warm use a shade cloth and mulch to cool the plants.

Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool)

Give Celeriac full sun in cooler temperatures.
Water: High

Consistent watering is the single most important factor in growing good celeriac, the soil should never be allowed to dry out. This may mean watering daily in dry weather, though every other day is more usual. Water is particularly critical as harvest time approaches.
Feeder: Heavy

It is a heavy feeder and needs a lot of attention. Celeriac needs lots of nitrogen to produce its succulent growth. If the soil is poor feed with compost tea or liquid kelp weekly.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: No

Celeriac is not especially easy to grow in a container, but if you want to try it, make sure to use a pot that is at least 8" in diameter and 12" deep, so the root has plenty of room to develop.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Tan, light green
Fruit Size: 6.0 - 8.0"
Plant Height: 8.0 - 12.0"
Plant Diameter: 6.0 - 8.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance: -
Taste Profile: Fresh celery flavor.
Rotation Group: Roots: Alliums + Umbeliferae

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Celeriac / Celery Root : White Celeriac of Venice (Bianco del Veneto)

This heirloom root celery has been grown in Italy for centuries. It is one of the oddest looking plants to eat and grow but it is absolutely delicious.

White Celeriac of Venice (Bianco del Veneto)

Basics