When to Plant Celeriac in USDA Zone 5a
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.
In Zone 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
Celeriac Planting Timeline — Zone 5a
Where Is USDA Zone 5a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5a. Click any state to see the Celeriac planting schedule for that location.
Celeriac Planting Calendar — Zone 5a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | August 8 | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
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 Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
100–120 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
-20°F to -15°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
166 days (Zone 5a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Celeriac in Zone 5a
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
Saving Celeriac Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Celeriac in Other Zones
Celeriac by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, plan your Celeriac planting around the average last frost date of April 25. Start seeds indoors around March 21. Direct sow outdoors around April 11. Transplant seedlings around April 25.
Can Celeriac grow in Zone 5a?
Yes, Celeriac can grow well in Zone 5a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 166 days, which is sufficient for Celeriac (100-120 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Celeriac in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, expect to harvest Celeriac from August 8 – September 12. Celeriac takes 100-120 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April 25, and the first fall frost is around October 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 166 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Celeriac?
Good companion plants for Celeriac include Leeks, Onion, Cabbage. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
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