President

Family: Apiaceae Root Vegetable

Aromatic and richly savory, President celeriac forms a bold, knobbly crown with a creamy, ivory interior that feels luxuriously dense in the hand.

Its flavor is deep and celery-bright, with a gentle sweetness that lingers—ideal for roasting until caramel-kissed, simmering into velvety purées, or shredding for crisp, refreshing salads. Grow it for a dependable 95-day harvest and enjoy a standout root that brings unmistakable character to every cool-season plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 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	Jul 22nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
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

President celeriac is built for heat: roast it and the dense interior turns creamy while the celery aroma stays assertive, never disappearing into mush. Go for bright acids and salty fats—this root loves lemon, mustard, and butter to sharpen its savory-sweet edge.

Best Uses

roast thick slabs until caramel-kissed and tender, then finish with butter or olive oil
blend into silky purée (simmer first, then purée smooth) for a velvety side or base for braises
cut into matchsticks or micro-shreds for crunchy, cold salads with tangy dressing
grate raw for a punchy celery kick in slaws or quick tart remoulades

Flavor Profile

celery-bright aromatics deep, savory rootiness gentle sweetness creamy-dense, fine-grained texture when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mustard fresh thyme parmesan smoked pork

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Celeriac is frequently hit by leaf blights such as Septoria leaf spot and by celery leaf miner, which causes trails and distorted leaflets. Remove and destroy infected leaves, avoid overhead watering so foliage stays dry, and improve airflow around plants. For leaf miner, use row cover once plants are established and check weekly to catch damage early, since spot-spraying is most effective only when larvae are small.

How often should I water celeriac during its main growing phase?

During active bulbing (roughly mid-season through harvest), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil to about 6–8 inches deep. In full sun conditions, this typically means watering 1–2 times per week, increasing to more often during hot spells; water when the top 1 inch of soil begins to dry. Uneven moisture can lead to corky roots and poor texture in the enlarged stem (the “bulb”).

How do I know when celeriac is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 95 days after sowing when the stem “bulb” is well-sized (typically palm-sized to larger) and the surface is smooth and firm. Check the base regularly—if it feels spongy or the grooves are opening unevenly, it’s still developing. For best flavor, plan to harvest before hard freezes, and expect the best eating quality when the foliage starts to thin and the bulb feels solid.