When to Plant Celeriac in Haines Borough, AK
Your May game plan for Haines Borough, Alaska
Here's what deserves your attention in Haines Borough, Alaska this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Time to transplant celeriac
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: 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.
Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
At an elevation of 1,921 feet, Haines Borough receives approximately 57.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 68°F, 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.
Haines Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Haines Borough
How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.4) is more acidic than Celeriac prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Haines Borough is excellent for Celeriac — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Celeriac.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (6.6%) — Celeriac will thrive.
How to Plant Celeriac
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Celeriac
Celeriac needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Celeriac Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 2.7" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 8.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 8.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 10.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 6.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Haines Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Celeriac Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Celeriac Planting Timeline — Haines Borough, AK
Celeriac Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Direct Sow | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 14 |
| Harvest | August 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Fall Sowing | July 21 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
100–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
145 days in Haines Borough
Growing Tips for Celeriac in Haines Borough
Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after May 07 in Haines Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Celeriac in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Celeriac in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Haines Borough, AK?
Haines Borough is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Haines Borough, AK?
Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is September 29.
Your Haines Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Haines Borough (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.