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When to plant Celeriac in Five Points, CA

In Zone 9b (Five Points), direct-sow Celeriac between February 9 and March 2 for spring, after the March 2 last-frost mark. A second sowing from September 28 to October 12 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celeriac in Five Points, CA

Fresno County, California Zone 9b July

July in the garden — Fresno County, California

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 2
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 91°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harvest celeriac as they ripen

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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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.

Five Points, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 2,276 feet, Fresno County receives approximately 14.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Celeriac may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Celeriac successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Five Points, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Five Points Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Celeriac Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 28

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 Five Points

How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.5) overlaps with Celeriac's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Fresno County is excellent for Celeriac — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celeriac.

How to Plant Celeriac

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Celeriac Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,888 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 1" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3.9" 0.4" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 0.1" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3.9" 0" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3.9" 0.2" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.9" 0.6" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.9" 1.3" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fresno County). 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 needs ~2,750 GDD — county provides 6,650 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Five Points, CA

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Direct Sow February 9 Feb 9 – Mar 2
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Jul 20
Fall Sowing September 28 Sep 28 – Oct 12

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

266 days in Fresno County

Growing Tips for Celeriac in Five Points

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after March 02 in Fresno County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Fresno County, provide afternoon shade for Celeriac and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Celeriac in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Fresno County receives only 15" of rain annually. Celeriac needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Celeriac in Five Points, CA?

In Five Points, CA, plant Celeriac after the last frost (around March 2) and before the first frost (around November 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Five Points, CA for Celeriac?

Five Points sits in USDA Zone 9b. Celeriac grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celeriac grow in Five Points's climate?

Yes — Celeriac grows well in Five Points's temperate climate. Five Points averages a 266-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 2 and first frost around November 23.

🌱

Your Fresno County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fresno County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Fresno County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.