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When to Plant Celeriac in Preston 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.

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 2,324 feet, Preston County receives approximately 45.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season.

Preston County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Preston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 557 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~1,595 GDD — county provides 2,465 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Preston County, WV

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Sep 17

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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Preston 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 Preston County, WV?

Preston County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Preston County, WV?

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Preston County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Preston County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.