Blog

When to Plant Celeriac in Lauderdale 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.

Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 180 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Lauderdale County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Lauderdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 30

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 991 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~2,172 GDD — county provides 4,601 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Lauderdale County, MS

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March 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

233 days

Growing Tips for Lauderdale 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celeriac in Lauderdale County, MS?

Lauderdale County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lauderdale County, MS?

Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lauderdale County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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