When to Plant Celeriac in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow August 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 Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra 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 Cool Temperate

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 15–21°C) ✗ Outside optimal range

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

How to Grow Celeriac in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Start seed indoors September-October. Transplant December-January. Harvest May-July. Melbourne's cool autumn and early winter suits celeriac perfectly.

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

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Celeriac

Recommended Varieties

  • Giant Prague
  • Monarch
  • Brilliant
  • Alabaster

Key Challenges

  • Very slow start. Seeds take 3-6 weeks to germinate
  • Long growing season (5-6 months)
  • Crown rot in wet winter soil

Pro Tips

  • Melbourne is excellent celeriac country. Cool autumn produces the best roots
  • Start seeds on a heat mat at 18-20C for fastest germination
  • Soak seeds overnight before sowing to break dormancy

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 Cool Temperate Zones

Fungal Soft Rot, risk: LOW (score: 30/100)

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 cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, 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 Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan, Aug 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.