Kojak

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Aromatic and richly sweet, Kojak celeriac forms a smooth, rounded crown with a creamy, ivory interior and a faintly peppery perfume that lingers like fresh-cut herbs.

The flesh stays tender and fine-grained, offering a velvety bite that shines when roasted until caramel-soft, or when grated for bright, fragrant salads and slaws. Grow Kojak for its dependable, uniform shape and its bold, celery-deep flavor that elevates sauces and braises with ease.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

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Kojak Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Feb 24th	May 5th	Sep 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Feb 20th	May 1st	Aug 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Feb 18th	Apr 29th	Aug 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 13th	Apr 24th	Aug 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 9th	Apr 20th	Aug 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 6th	Apr 17th	Aug 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Jan 31st	Apr 11th	Aug 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Jan 26th	Apr 6th	Aug 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 16th	Mar 27th	Jul 25th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 7th	Mar 18th	Jul 16th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Dec 29th	Mar 9th	Jul 7th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 12th	Feb 20th	Jun 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Nov 17th	Jan 26th	May 26th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kojak celeriac is built for the kind of eating where it goes from raw perfume to roasted caramel softness—its texture stays fine and velvety rather than turning stringy. The peppery, celery-herb note loves dairy and fat, so it blooms hard in purées, braises, and lemony slaws.

Best Uses

roasting to caramel-soft rounds for spoonable edges
grating raw for citrus-bright slaws and herb salads
pureeing into silky soups and braising thickeners
quick pan-searing or shallow-frying into crisp-edged slices

Flavor Profile

celery-deep sweetness faintly peppery, herb-like perfume fine-grained, creamy-tender bite aromatic finish that lingers

Kitchen Pairings

lemon black pepper butter cream thyme smoked pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Apium graveolens var. rapaceum (celeriac/“Kojak”), and how can I control it?

Celeriac often gets celery leaf spot and other leaf blights (dark spots that expand and cause yellowing), especially with humid, crowded foliage. Water at the soil line and space plants so leaves dry quickly, then remove the worst infected leaves to slow spread. If problems persist, apply a labeled fungicide that’s approved for celery/Apiaceae leaf spot and follow label intervals.

How often should I water Kojak celeriac during the main growing phase?

During active bulb (root) enlargement, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for your rainfall and heat. Water deeply so moisture reaches the celeriac’s expanding root, but avoid standing water because soggy soil increases rot risk. A simple check: the top 1–2 inches should not dry out completely between waterings.

How do I know when Kojak celeriac is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 110–120 days when the celeriac base is firm, well-sized, and the “shoulders” of the bulb feel solid rather than spongy. Leaves should look sturdy but not freshly regrowing; if bulbs are still small and soft, give them more time. For best quality, lift before hard freezes, as prolonged freezing can damage the outside skin.