Celeriac Giant Prague 1500 Vegetable Seeds

Packet Content (approx.): 1500 (0.6g)

Celeriacs Giant Prague also know as root celery, grown for its large swollen hypocotyls, not like the celery for its stems, Giant Prague has vigorous roots and strong growing foliage.

Celeriac Giant  Prague is one of those vegetables that the average British cook has little or no experience with. That's a shame. It is really awesome! The name implies a connection with celery and indeed, it is intensely and richly fragrant of celery - even the seed is so. The large bulbuous and rough skinned "root" (most of which grows above ground) is used raw and cooked, much like a turnip. It is an excellent non-starchy choice over potatoes.

You can boil and mash it, bake it whole (remove skin before eating), make soup with it, even french fry it! The hollow stalks are traditionally used in serving Bloody Marys, as it imparts a celery taste as the cocktail is sucked through it. It is also classically used in the French salad "celerie remoulade." High in fiber with no cholesterol or fat and very few calories. Stores VERY well, keeping 3-4 months in the fridge.

GROWING TIPS: Because of the long growth season, you will want to start this one indoors as early as February, pricked out and transplanted to pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, hardened off well before transplanting in June in rich soil and then cultivating until October maturity.

Sow celeriac seeds from February to April 3mm deep in quality seed compost. Germination takes 15-21 days at 20-25 Celsius. Seal the seed tray into a polythene bag after sowing to aid germination.

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them 5 cm apart into bigger pots, containers. Gradually acclimatize to outdoor conditions and plant out in June 30-35cm apart in full sun and well drained, deeply dug, rich soil.

Keep the celeriac plants watered in dry spells. Remove any side shoots that may form.

Harvest the roots in October-November. In early winter lift any remaining plants and store in a cool dry place for winter use.

Suitable for the garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.