[AlaninCarlisle]

I sowed some direct in a bed in my polytunnel 3 months ago. The plants are now about 8 inches high and the roots have just started to swell slightly. What is the ideal stage to start removing the outer growth?

[arugula]

I'd say with an inch or so of shoulder showing, then I keep on removing them as and when they appear.

[Annen]

Do you remove them all? or just the outer leaves?

[arugula]

Just the outer leaves growing down over the shoulders. Leave the more central ones which should be in a more upright position.

[RJR_38]

Ooh this is useful to know as my celeriac seem to growing really well - about 8 inches tall as well but I cant tell if the root is swelling. I will have a closer inspection over the weekend as I didnt know about removing the leaves. Is this so more energy goes into the root and isn't wasted in the leaves?

[Trillium]

Yes. I leave 3 to 4 leaves on my celeriac and it makes quite a difference. Mind, they keep trying to put out more so I keep picking to keep that same number.

[Annen]

Anybody know why that isn't done with other root veg like turnips?

[Trillium]

It's the variety of turnip that you grow. Some give a small root but loads of leaves to pick for turnip greens, other standard varieties produce fewer leaves for a bigger root ball so basically they self-regulate their top growth. But not celeriac - it will send loads of shoots up at the expense of the root which is why we must prune them.