How to Grow Celeriac in New Zealand
Celery root with a knobbly look and a clean celery flavour. It needs a long season of five to six months and steady moisture, so sow early. Much easier than stalk celery, and it does best in cooler southern gardens.
When to plant celeriac in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best celeriac varieties for NZ
- Giant Prague — Classic large knobbly celeriac with clean celery flavour. (Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds)
- Monarch — Smoother-skinned variety that is easier to peel. (Mr Fothergill's NZ, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow celeriac
- Space plants about 30cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 150 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
Companion planting
Grow celeriac near: Leek, Beans, Brassicas.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Slugs, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Celeriac plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant celeriac in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy celeriac seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds.