Monarch
A reliable selection with smooth, round roots and good standing power in the ground.
When to plant Celeriac in Cambridge
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
A slow-growing root crop for deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil. In the UK, sow under cover, plant out after frost risk has passed, and keep plants evenly watered. Lift roots from autumn onwards, leaving sound roots in the ground into winter where the soil stays workable.
40 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Cambridge · average last frost around 7 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Prepare the Bed
23 Apr to 14 MayWork the soil deeply and break it down to a fine tilth around 23rd April - 14th May. Remove stones and any hard lumps, then mix in well-rotted compost. Avoid fresh manure, because it makes the roots fork.
02
Sow Seeds Indoors
7 Mar to 26 MarSow seeds thinly on the surface of moist seed compost around 7th March - 26th March and cover with a light dusting of vermiculite. Keep them at in bright light and keep the compost evenly moist.
03
Prick Out Seedlings
28 Mar to 30 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out from 28th March - 30th April into individual small pots or modules. Handle them by the leaves and keep the young plants in bright light with evenly moist compost.
04
Harden Off and Plant Out
21 May to 4 JunHarden plants off for 7 to 10 days, then plant out around 21st May - 4th June after frost risk has passed. Space plants apart with the crown at soil level. Water in thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist.
05
Harvest Roots
26 Sept to 17 Dec Dates as each sowing reaches this stageLift roots from 26th September and keep harvesting through 17th December. Leave sound roots in the ground over winter if the soil drains well, then lift them as needed before they start to run down.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Celeriac to consider
Asterix
Produces firm roots with a neat shape and steady performance in the vegetable patch.
Giant Prague
A long-established type that gives large, usable roots and is widely grown in Britain.
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Calabrese
Sow indoors March to April, plant out May to June, harvest July to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
Celeriac guides by town
See how Celeriac timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.