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When to Plant Celeriac in Antelope County, NE

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.

Antelope County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 608 feet, Antelope County receives approximately 24.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.

Antelope County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Antelope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3

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
0.7″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,407 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Celeriac needs ~1,430 GDD — county provides 2,041 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Antelope County, NE

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August 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 4b

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Antelope 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 Antelope County, NE?

Antelope County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Antelope County, NE?

Antelope County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Antelope County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Antelope County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.