When to Plant Celeriac in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Sow September to January. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Celeriac guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Celeriac

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Celeriac is an underappreciated root vegetable that deserves more attention in Australian gardens. It produces a large, knobby, celery-flavoured root that is outstanding roasted, mashed, or in soups. It requires patience (120+ days), consistent moisture, and rich soil, making it a more advanced crop. Best suited to cool-temperate and cold-highland zones; struggles in tropical and subtropical heat.

Planting Calendar for Cold / Highland

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
T - - - - - - - S S/T S/T T

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 11.2°C (optimal range: 15–21°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Canberra), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Celeriac in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Start seed indoors August-September. Transplant November after last frost. Harvest April-June before hard frosts. Canberra and tablelands can grow excellent celeriac.

Soil
Rich, deep, moisture-retentive soil heavily amended with compost and well-rotted manure. Celeriac is a heavy feeder and demands fertile, humus-rich soil. Tolerates heavier soils than most root vegetables.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade (3-6 hours). Tolerates more shade than most root crops. In warmer zones, afternoon shade is beneficial.
Spacing
30cm apart, 45cm between rows
Watering
Celeriac demands consistent, generous moisture throughout its long growing season. Never let soil dry out. Water deeply 3-4 times per week. Drip irrigation ideal. Dry stress causes woody, hollow roots

Companion plants: Leek, Bean, Tomato, Cabbage, Cauliflower

Avoid planting near: Carrot, Parsnip (shares diseases), Corn

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Celeriac

Recommended Varieties

  • Giant Prague
  • Monarch
  • Brilliant

Key Challenges

  • Short frost-free window is tight for 120+ day crop
  • Must start early indoors
  • Hard frosts will damage exposed roots

Pro Tips

  • Start seeds indoors in August with bottom heat, this is non-negotiable
  • Transplant after last frost (typically late October in Canberra)
  • Mound mulch or soil around roots in late autumn to protect from frost

Harvesting Celeriac

When ready: Root is 10-15cm diameter, visible above soil surface. Outer leaves begin to yellow and fall. Typically 120-150 days from transplant. Root should feel firm and heavy.

How to harvest: Use a garden fork to lever out the root. Cut off leaves and side roots. Trim the base. Do not wash if storing. The root should be the size of a large grapefruit or softball.

Common Celeriac Pests in Cold / Highland Zones

Fungal Soft Rot, risk: LOW (score: 27/100)

Organic prevention: Remove all plant debris. Crop rotation. Avoid planting near celery, parsley, or other apiaceae crops.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Celeriac

When do you plant celeriac in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does celeriac grow all year round in Canberra?

No. In the Cold / Highland zone the planting months are Jan, Sep to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.