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When to Plant Celeriac in Whitley County, KY

Celeriac is a celery relative grown for its knobby, flavorful root rather than its stalks. It has a rich celery flavor and is excellent roasted, mashed, or in soups.

Whitley County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 1,990 feet, Whitley County receives approximately 44.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season.

Whitley County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Whitley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Sep 26

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 62 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~1,595 GDD — county provides 2,682 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Whitley County, KY

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 7

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

100โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Whitley County

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Remove side roots as they develop to encourage a single large bulb. Harvest after a light frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celeriac in Whitley County, KY?

Whitley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Whitley County, KY?

Whitley County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Whitley County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Whitley County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.