When to Plant Celeriac in USDA Zone 9a
May in the garden — Zone 9a
May is a pivotal month for Zone 9a gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: celeriac
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 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Celeriac Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Celeriac planting schedule for that location.
Celeriac Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 13 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 10 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Direct Sow | January 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 10 |
| Harvest | May 26 | May 26 – Jun 30 |
| Fall Sowing | October 15 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a 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
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Celeriac in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~303 days). Start Celeriac indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
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Saving Celeriac Seeds
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Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
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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 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Celeriac planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around January 13. Direct sow outdoors around January 20. Transplant seedlings around February 10.
Can Celeriac grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Celeriac can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Celeriac (100-120 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Celeriac in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Celeriac from May 26 – June 30. Celeriac takes 100-120 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 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.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.