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When to Plant Celeriac in Kemper County, MS

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.

Kemper County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 292 feet, Kemper County receives approximately 56.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Celeriac, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celeriac root diseases.

Kemper County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Kemper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 2

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 947 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~1,925 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Kemper County, MS

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Kemper 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 Kemper County, MS?

Kemper County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kemper County, MS?

Kemper County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kemper County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Kemper County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.