Mars

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your spoon into the earthy, celery-bright character of Mars celeriac—its flesh is creamy and fine-grained, with a clean, aromatic snap that turns every bite into a fragrant delight.

At maturity, this variety forms a handsome, knobbly-shouldered root with a smooth, pale interior that roasts beautifully for caramelized depth, and also shines when grated for crisp, refreshing flavor in salads and slaws. Mars is a dependable choice for home gardeners seeking a standout root vegetable with true celery essence and a luxuriously tender texture.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 6th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
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

Mars celeriac leans into true celery essence—creamy when cooked, but still aromatic with a clean, fragrant bite. Use it like you’d use the heart of celery: roast for caramel sweetness or grate raw for a crisp slaw that doesn’t turn mushy or dull.

Best Uses

roasted wedges until deeply browned and spoonable
grated raw for crisp slaws that stay snappy under dressing
velvety purées/soups for a celery-essence backbone
thin shaved sauté/gratin for caramelized edges and creamy center

Flavor Profile

celery-bright, aromatic snap earthy root sweetness creamy, fine-grained tenderness mild bitterness on the edges when raw

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mustard cream thyme roasted chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum), and how can I prevent it?

Celeriac is prone to fungal leaf blights like Septoria and to celery leaf spot, especially in humid, crowded plantings. Start with disease-free seed/starts, space plants for airflow, and avoid wetting the leaves—water at the soil line. If you see spotted leaves, remove affected foliage early and consider a labeled fungicide for celery/celeriac before the problem spreads.

How often should I water celeriac during the main growing phase to get a firm, swollen root?

From when plants are actively growing until the bulbs begin bulking, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, then water deeply to encourage steady thickening. Irregular watering can cause rough texture and hollow or splitting roots.

How do I know when celeriac is ready to harvest after about 110 days?

Harvest when the celeriac bulbs are firm and reach roughly 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) across, typically around 110 days from transplanting or sowing as your conditions allow. The bulb should feel dense, with leaf petioles still healthy rather than collapsing from severe frost damage. If you can dent the bulb easily with a fingernail or it feels hollow/light, it’s usually not ready yet—give it more time while temperatures stay cool.