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When to plant Celeriac in Weldon, CA

Weldon's spring Celeriac window runs February 7 through February 28. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting. A second sowing from October 4 to October 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celeriac in Weldon, CA

Kern County, California Zone 9b June

This month in Kern County, California

Each item below is timed to Kern County, California's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost February 28
Avg. first frost November 29
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for celeriac

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: celeriac

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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.

Weldon, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 274 days.

At an elevation of 389 feet, Kern County receives approximately 16.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102°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.

Weldon, CA (Zone 9b) Year-round
274 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
274 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Weldon Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Celeriac Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25

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 Weldon

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.7) overlaps with Celeriac's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Celeriac is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,678 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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Mar 3.9" 2.4" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 1.2" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3.9" 0.5" 3.4" 🚿 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" 0.7" 3.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Kern 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 ~2,915 GDD — county provides 7,287 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Weldon, CA

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 – Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Direct Sow February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 28
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Jul 18
Fall Sowing October 4 Oct 4 – Oct 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
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

274 days in Kern County

Growing Tips for Celeriac in Weldon

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after February 28 in Kern County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Kern 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.

Kern County receives only 17" 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 Weldon, CA?

In Weldon, CA, plant Celeriac after the last frost (around February 28) and before the first frost (around November 29). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Weldon, CA for Celeriac?

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

Can Celeriac grow in Weldon's climate?

Yes — Celeriac grows well in Weldon's temperate climate. Weldon averages a 275-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 28 and first frost around November 29.

🌱

Your Kern County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kern 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 Kern County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.