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When to Plant Celeriac in Marathon County, WI

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.

Marathon County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 723 feet, Marathon County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.

Marathon County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Marathon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 8

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 431 gal / 100 sq ft
Celeriac needs ~1,348 GDD — county provides 1,764 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline โ€” Marathon County, WI

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Jul 24
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 28

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
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 4a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Marathon 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 Marathon County, WI?

Marathon County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marathon County, WI?

Marathon County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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