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When to Plant Celeriac in Wilkinson 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.

Wilkinson County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 265 days.

At an elevation of 379 feet, Wilkinson County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Wilkinson County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
265 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
265 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Wilkinson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,512 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~2,255 GDD — county provides 5,432 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Wilkinson County, MS

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 27 Jan 27 โ€“ Feb 10
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 10
Fall Sowing September 14 Sep 14 โ€“ Sep 28
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 21

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 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

265 days

Growing Tips for Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County, MS?

Wilkinson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilkinson County, MS?

Wilkinson County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.