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When to Plant Celeriac in Stone 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.

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 269 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Stone County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Celeriac may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Celeriac will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celeriac root diseases.

Stone County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
269 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
269 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 364 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~2,420 GDD — county provides 5,918 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Stone County, MS

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 9
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Oct 1
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

269 days

Growing Tips for Stone 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 Stone County, MS?

Stone County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, MS?

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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