Prague Giant Celeriac - Apium graveolens

Apium graveolens 'Giant Prague' is an herbaceous vegetable plant that grows to a height of 50 to 80cm (20 to 32in). This early variety stores well and has low susceptibility to rust. It is cultivated for its large fleshy root, which is well-formed, has a very fine taste, and does not hollow out. It is round, adorned with rootlets, and topped with a rosette of leaves. The leaves are fragrant and deeply dissected. The leaves are shorter than those of celery and have a bitter taste. Sow from February to the end of May for a harvest 6 to 7 months later.

Celeriac is a vegetable from the Apiaceae family.

In terms of cuisine, celeriac is cultivated for its large round root with a pungent flavour. It can be consumed raw (grated, in remoulade) or cooked (mashed, gratin, or sautéed).

In the vegetable garden, plant in a sunny or semi-shaded location. It is a hardy plant that can reach a height of 50 to 70cm (20 to 28in).

It prefers moist, light, and rich soils. Add mature compost in the previous autumn, after loosening the soil well. Provide vegetable fertiliser during cultivation. These are excellent autumn-winter vegetables, to be sown under cover in spring.

Harvest: celeriac is harvested in autumn, before the first frosts. Dig up the bulbs, let them dry for a day on the ground, and cut off the leaves above the collar as well as the rootlets.

Storage: celeriac should be stored in a cool and humid place, protected from light. It can be kept for several months.

Gardener's tip: we recommend mulching the soil with successive thin layers of grass clippings, if possible mixed with dead leaves. Mulch from the end of May onwards. This protection helps the soil retain moisture and reduces the need for weeding.