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When to Plant Celeriac in Pendleton County, WV

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.

Pendleton County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 3,889 feet, Pendleton County receives approximately 50.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celeriac root diseases.

Pendleton County, WV (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Pendleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 13

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~1,430 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Pendleton County, WV

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Sep 15

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Pendleton 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 Pendleton County, WV?

Pendleton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pendleton County, WV?

Pendleton County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pendleton County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Pendleton County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.