When to Plant Celeriac in Saline 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.
Saline County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.
At an elevation of 525 feet, Saline County receives approximately 30.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.
Saline County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Celeriac Planting Timeline — Saline County, NE
Celeriac Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 22 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Direct Sow | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 29 |
| Fall Sowing | August 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Harvest | August 5 | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
100–120 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 5a
Growing Season
173 days
Growing Tips for Saline 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
Level Up Your Garden
Celeriac in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Saline County, NE?
Saline County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Saline County, NE?
Saline County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 12.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Saline County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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