Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Alys Fowler

Ask Alys: your gardening questions answered

Ask Alys: celeriac
Celeriac: ‘There’s no reason to suggest you can’t grow celeriac in a pot.’ Photograph: Getty Images

I have a Juliet balcony so can only grow things in pots. How can I grow celeriac successfully?
I’ve never grown celeriac in a pot. There’s no reason to suggest you can’t (I have done far more ridiculous things, just to say “I grew this”), but I think I’d only grow one celeriac per pot, so this is going to be a labour of love if it’s for remoulade. The pot should be 20cm or more deep and at least 30cm wide: if you stick to the minimum, feed every week and water daily because celeriac have surprisingly big roots. And you may have to build a windbreak as it won’t like endless breeze. Still, with good quality compost, a regular liquid feed and a little shelter, you may be able to invite one person round to share your remoulade for tea.

It is no substitute for remoulade, but you may want to try leaf celery (Apium graveolens Secalinum Group) if growing celeriac sounds too much. It’s very tough, won’t mind life in a pot and you can harvest the leaves for a huge part of the year. Once it decides to flower, let it: then harvest the seed for wonderful celery salt. It’s no root vegetable, but you may find you get more bang for your buck, so to speak.

• Got a question for Alys? Email askalys@theguardian.com

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.