Celery root "Prager Reuzen"

Celery root ''Prague Giant''.
Excellent quality of root vegetables. Mid-early variety. The period from germination to harvesting of root crops is 120-130 days. The root crops are large, weighing up to 500 g.
The pulp is white, tender. The taste is good. Shelf life is very good.
Value of the variety: high marketable yield of large, round-shaped root crops. Used fresh and dried.
1 gram = 1800-2500 seeds.

Root celery - Apium graveolens var. rapaceum.
Family: Umbrellas.
Requirements: celery is a rather demanding plant. It does not grow in sandy, dry soils. The best option is medium-heavy soil with a high humus content. However, celery's heat requirement is quite small. The place should be somewhat open to the winds, as this prevents the attack of flies. In principle, wet summers are more conducive to celery growth than dry, clear weather.
Sowing: the long ripening period of root celery requires early cultivation under glass. Already at the beginning of March, at the latest at the end, sowing is done in seedling trays installed on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. Germination temperature +15+20°C. The seeds are very small and cannot be sown tightly. Press the seeds with your palms, but do not cover them with soil.
It is necessary to make 1-2 picks. Young plants develop best in pots. During the growing process, the temperature can be about +15°C. Large temperature fluctuations can further stimulate sprout formation.
Planting: planting can be done no earlier than the end of May, since celery is sensitive to cold. If you still plant it in mid-May, you need to use film. In the garden beds, plants should reach as high a height as possible - this is the key to the formation of a good tuber. The distance between the rows is 40 cm, the spacing between plants in the row is the same.
Fertilizer application: manure applied to the soil in the fall is an excellent basic fertilizer. An even better fertilizer is manure composted with other waste. The resulting compost is ideal for growing celery. If it is possible to fertilize the soil only in the spring, then preference should be given to organic fertilizers. The high need for potassium is satisfied by wood ash. Good plant development is facilitated by the addition of dolomite flour and small amounts of lime. In summer, another small portion of organic fertilizer is added to the soil. Nettle mass is also suitable for subsequent additions. Fertilizers should not be overused, since excess nitrogen shortens the shelf life and negatively affects the taste of the tuber.
Care: for the tubers to form normally, the soil must be sufficiently moistened, so it is important to water the celery on time. It is better not to cut the leaves ahead of time, since the plant needs them to accumulate solar heat and carry out metabolic processes. During the long ripening period, regular loosening is necessary. When mulching, make sure that the tubers remain free.
Harvest: from planting to ripening, at least 4 months pass. Thus, you can realistically expect a harvest by mid-October. Do not harvest the tubers too early, as they may continue to grow well into the fall. In case of danger of sub-zero temperatures, celery should be covered with film, as it can only withstand light frosts. Tubers are perfectly stored in a cold basement.
Biological protection: you can avoid spots on the leaves by choosing disease-resistant varieties. The greater the interval between plants, the lower the likelihood of disease. You can fight flies by planting celery with onions or, more reliably, using a special net.
In the initial period, aphids may appear on the leaves, which are easily washed off with water.